SB 657 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds organized retail crime and possession or employment of a firearm during the commission of or attempt to commit a dangerous felony to the definition of racketeering activity; clarifies that carjacking is a racketeering activity. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 657 amends Tennessee's racketeering law (TCA §39-12-203) to explicitly include organized retail crime, firearm possession during dangerous felonies, and carjacking as racketeering activities. This change directly affects individuals committing these specific offenses, making them subject to enhanced penalties under racketeering statutes. The bill adds new definitions to the law (effective July 1, 2025) and clarifies that carjacking is now explicitly covered under racketeering. It does not create new crimes but reclassifies existing offenses for prosecution under racketeering provisions.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 14, 2025 · House Apr 16, 2025

How they voted

316
Passed
Total votes 37
Apr 14, 2025
D Democratic7
1 Yea 6 Nay
85% Nay
R Republican30
30 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
13
Committee
9
May 5, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 83, Nays 2, PNV 4
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 26, Nays 6
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
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
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Joey Hensley
Joey Hensley
RRepublican
TN
28