Criminal Offenses - As enacted, expands the definition of "racketeering activity" to include committing, conspiring to commit, aiding, attempting to aid, soliciting, coercing, facilitating, or intimidating another person to commit the criminal offense of animal fighting. - Amends TCA Title 39.
SB 916 expands Tennessee's definition of "racketeering activity" to specifically include animal fighting, as defined under Tennessee Code § 39-14-203. This change directly affects individuals or groups involved in organizing, participating in, or facilitating animal fighting events, treating such activities as part of organized criminal enterprises. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-12-203(10) by adding a new subsection (RRR) to categorize animal fighting under racketeering offenses. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Signed Apr 24, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House Apr 10, 2025
How they voted
32–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 34
Mar 20, 2025
D
Democratic6
66% Yea
R
Republican28
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
9
Committee
5
Apr 24, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 80, Nays 10, PNV 2
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 0, PNV 2
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/4/2025
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/4/2025
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/25/2025
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
Ferrell Haile
RRepublican
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