SB 916 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

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

320
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 34
Mar 20, 2025
D Democratic6
4 Yea 2
66% Yea
R Republican28
28 Yea
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
Photo of Ferrell Haile
Ferrell Haile
RRepublican
TN
18