Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment when the offense is committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, if the motor vehicle is occupied, or a Class D felony, if the motor vehicle is unoccupied. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.
SB 163 increases penalties for reckless endangerment involving discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle in Tennessee. If the vehicle is occupied, the offense becomes a Class C felony (up from Class E); if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill directly affects anyone who fires a gun into a vehicle, raising criminal consequences based on whether occupants were present. It amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-103 to clarify these penalty levels, effective July 1, 2025. The change applies specifically to motor vehicles as defined by state law.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 16, 2025
Last action Apr 20, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
14
Committee
15
Apr 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2025
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/15/2025
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2025
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 7, Nays 1 PNV 0
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/8/2025
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/8/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/2/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025
lower
Jan 27, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Joey Hensley
RRepublican
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