SB 824 - HB 985
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
March 22, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: John Jenkins | Email: john.jenkins@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
SB 824 - HB 985
SUMMARY OF BILL: Deletes the offense of unlawfully possessing a weapon on property
that is posted to prohibit such possession in accordance with the law. Removes requirements to
post certain signage in specific prominent places on a building or property in order to restrict or
prohibit the possession of firearms on the premises. Replaces such requirements with a general
authorization for an individual or private or governmental entity to post signage in prominent
locations advising patrons that anyone possessing a firearm on the premises may be denied
admission onto the premises, or required to leave the premises by the owner or manager.
Removes the penalty of revocation of a handgun carry permit for a violation of unlawfully
possessing a weapon on posted property or failing to notify the Department of Safety (DOS) within
60 days of any change in a permit holders principal place of residence. Deletes the offense of a
handgun permit holder failing to notify the DOS within 60 days of any change in the permit holders
principal place of residence.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1359(c), it is an offense to possess a weapon in a
building or on property that is properly posted in accordance with current law. A violation
is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine only of $500. The legislation deletes this
offense.
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1357(a), a handgun permit holder must notify the
DOS of a change in the permit holder’s principal place of address within 60 days. Pursuant
to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1358(b), a violation of this requirement is punishable by a fine
only not to exceed $500. The legislation deletes this penalty.
• Because the relevant offenses are punishable by a fine only, there will be no fiscal impact
related to incarceration from removing these offenses or penalties.
• Based on the Fiscal Review Committee’s 2008 study and the Administrative Office of the
Courts’ 2012 study on collection of court costs, fees, and fines, collection in criminal cases
is insignificant; therefore, any decrease in local revenue from fines is estimated to be not
significant.
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1352(a)(6) a handgun permit holder can have their
permit revoked for unlawful carrying on a posted property or failing to notify the DOS of a
SB 824 - HB 985 2
change in the permit holder’s principal place of address within 60 days. The legislation
deletes this penalty.
• There is no cost to the DOS to revoke a handgun carry permit. Any potential increase in
revenue to the DOS related to an increase in permit renewals from those that would
currently be subject to revocation, but under the legislation will not, is estimated to be not
significant.
• The proposed provisions related to signage requirements to prohibit weapons on a property
are not interpreted to substantively change current law. The individual or entity that owns
or controls the property will still be authorized to post signage and restrict firearms
possession on the premises. It simply reduces the regulations regarding the posting of such
signage.
• Any public entity that has signs posted according to current law and wishes to continue to
restrict possession of firearms, will presumably keep the current signs in place. Any fiscal
impacts to state or local government related to signage is estimated to be not significant.
• Any fiscal impact to state or local government 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