Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the offense of human smuggling; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 39.
HB 322 creates a new criminal offense of "human smuggling" under Tennessee law, directly affecting individuals who transport people across borders for financial gain while concealing them from authorities. The bill defines human smuggling as transporting 10+ adults or 5+ minors (knowing they entered the U.S. illegally) to avoid detection by law enforcement, or encouraging such entry. It classifies this as a Class E felony, punishable by up to 6 years in prison, and adds misdemeanor penalties for harboring individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. The law also grants the state attorney general authority to seek court orders dissolving organizations involved in trafficking or smuggling.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 27, 2025
Last action May 15, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 17, 2025
How they voted
28–0
Passed
Total votes 28
Apr 17, 2025
D
Democratic7
100% Yea
R
Republican21
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
39
Key actions
19
Committee
22
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025
lower
Apr 17, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (28-0)
house
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/9/2025
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/9/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/02/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/12/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/5/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/19/2025
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Chris Todd
RRepublican
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