HB 359 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Criminal Offenses - As enacted, defines "seriously bodily injury" for the purposes of the present law offense of vehicular assault, which occurs when a person who, as the proximate result of the person's intoxication, recklessly causes serious bodily injury to another person by the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel subject to registration; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

HB 359 increases penalties for driving without a valid driver's license in Tennessee. It upgrades a first offense from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor and makes a second or subsequent offense within 10 years a Class A misdemeanor. The bill directly affects drivers who operate vehicles without a valid license, with penalties applying to violations occurring on or after July 1, 2025. This change amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-50-301 and related provisions.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed Apr 27, 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
34
Key actions
16
Committee
14
Amendments
1
Apr 27, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 5
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0558)
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 85, Nays 5, PNV 0
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 2/19/2026
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 2/17/2026
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 2/11/2026
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/5/2025
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Transportation Committee for 2/25/2025
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Transportation Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 2/18/2025
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of William Lamberth
William Lamberth
RRepublican
TN
44