HB 2279 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts the "Crush Transnational Repression in Tennessee Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38 and Title 39.

HB 2279, the "Crush Transnational Repression in Tennessee Act," targets foreign governments or groups attempting to control Tennesseans through coercion or foreign law. It criminalizes agents of "foreign adversaries" (like designated hostile nations) who try to force Tennesseans to act against their will, leave the U.S., or stop protected activities like free speech or religious practice - increasing penalties for such offenses. The bill also voids Tennessee court rulings or contracts based on foreign law (including examples like Sharia Law) if they violate U.S. or Tennessee constitutional rights. Additionally, it requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to create a law enforcement training program on transnational repression by July 2027.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed Apr 21, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
12
Committee
9
Amendments
1
Apr 21, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 2
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0652)
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 77, Nays 12, PNV 2
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/19/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/11/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/4/2026
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/18/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mark Cochran
Mark Cochran
RRepublican
TN
23