Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for knowingly using an unmanned aircraft over any portion of a property that includes a correctional facility from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class C felony; authorizes a correctional facility employee to disable an unmanned aircraft that is operating over property that includes a correctional facility and states that the correctional facility and the correctional facility employee are not liable for damage to the unmanned aircraft as a result of being disabled. - Amends TCA Title 39.
SB 1631 increases penalties for knowingly operating drones over correctional facilities in Tennessee, raising the offense from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony. It directly affects drone operators near prisons and authorizes correctional facility employees to disable such drones without liability for damage. Key provisions include amending criminal penalties to classify drone use over correctional properties as a felony and explicitly protecting facilities and staff from legal claims when disabling drones. The bill focuses on enhancing security at correctional facilities by strengthening consequences for unauthorized drone activity.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
Last action Apr 20, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
5
Committee
6
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
Mar 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 1
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Tom Hatcher
RRepublican
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