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HB 2140

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a registry within the Tennessee bureau of investigation of persons convicted of certain crimes related to organized retail theft; makes various other changes relative to the offense of organized retail crime. - Amends TCA Title 18; Title 38, Chapter 6, Part 1 and Title 39.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Zachary

Tennessee creates organized retail theft registry in state investigation bureau to track convicted offenders and strengthen enforcement of coordinated shoplifting operations.

H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 2140

Legislative bill overview

HB 2140 establishes a statewide registry maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to track individuals convicted of organized retail theft offenses. The bill modifies related criminal statutes across three Tennessee Code sections to define crimes and penalties associated with coordinated theft operations targeting retail establishments.

Why is this important

Organized retail theft—coordinated shoplifting rings that resell merchandise—costs retailers billions annually and has grown significantly in recent years. Creating a centralized registry could help law enforcement identify repeat offenders, coordinate investigations across jurisdictions, and potentially reduce losses to businesses and consumers through higher prices passed along to shoppers.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and collateral consequences: Registry placement could restrict employment opportunities and create permanent digital records, raising questions about proportionality and rehabilitation opportunities for convicted individuals
  • Defining "organized" retail crime: The bill's specific criteria for what constitutes "organized" theft versus individual shoplifting remains unclear from the summary and could lead to inconsistent application or prosecutorial discretion concerns
  • Implementation costs and effectiveness: Creating and maintaining a new statewide registry requires resources, and the actual crime-reduction impact of such registries remains contested in criminology research

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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