HB 442 – SB 620
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
February 28, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Natalie Dusek | Email: natalie.dusek@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
HB 442 – SB 620
SUMMARY OF BILL: Authorizes an antique emergency vehicle that is registered as an
antique motor vehicle to be used for participation in, or transportation to and from, community or
educational events, including displays at fairs, festivals, and schools, as well as during weekends and
holidays. Authorizes the installation and operation of emergency lights and sirens on a privately-
owned antique emergency vehicle under certain circumstances. Specifies that a person operating an
antique emergency vehicle under such circumstances does not commit the Class A misdemeanor
offense of criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. 55-4-111(b)(1), an antique motor vehicle is a vehicle over 25
years old with a nonmodified engine and body that us used for participation in, or
transportation to and from, club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and other similar uses as
a collector’s item. It may also be used for general transportation during weekends and on
federal holidays. Antique motor vehicles must be properly registered for such uses to be
authorized.
• The proposed legislation authorizes registered antique emergency vehicles to additionally be
used for participation in, or transportation to and from, community or educational events,
including displays at fairs, festivals, and schools. A person may install or operate a bell,
siren, or exhaust whistle or emergency flashing lights on an antique emergency vehicle if:
o The sirens or lights are representative of the era in which the emergency vehicle was
manufactured;
o The person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local Law
Enforcement Agency (LEA) or Fire Department;
o The person maintains a copy of the written authorization to provide to a law
enforcement officer upon request; and
o The lights and sirens are operated while the vehicle is being used as part of a parade
or ceremonial event, or on private property if given permission by the property
owner.
• Based on information provided by the Tennessee Association of Police Chiefs, local police
and fire chiefs can provide written authorization for the operation of emergency lights and
sirens within existing resources.
HB 442 – SB 620 2
• Motor vehicle registration fees are administered by the Department of Revenue. It is
reasonably assumed that expanding the circumstances in which antique emergency motor
vehicles are used will not result in a significant increase in registrations.
• Based on information provided by the DOR, any resulting fiscal impact is estimated to be
not significant.
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-301, criminal impersonation of a law enforcement
officer is a Class A misdemeanor offense.
• The proposed legislation specifies that a person who operates an antique emergency vehicle
in accordance with the proposed regulations does not commit the offense of criminal
impersonation of a law enforcement officer.
• Creating this exception will not result in a significant decrease in Class A misdemeanor
convictions. Any impact to local jail incarcerations is therefore estimated to be not
significant.
• The proposed legislation requires no additional action on the part of the Department of
Education, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, or the Department of Safety;
therefore, any impact to these departments is estimated to be not significant.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director