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HB 1027

Criminal Procedure - As introduced, increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a sheriff has to provide the department of safety with any information that is within the knowledge of the sheriff concerning an applicant's truthfulness on an application for an enhanced handgun carry permit. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Lowell Russell

The bill creates a state grant program to fund law enforcement and DA offices aimed at increasing violent crime clearance and victim support, administered by OCJP and partners.

Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
#criminalprocedure
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Bill Summary · HB 1027

Summary of HB 1027 (Session 114) – Tennessee

Note: The bill text provided indicates an amendment package that ultimately repeals a separate, broader “TN-VICTIMS Act” structure and focuses on a grant program to boost violent crime clearance. The following summary reflects the amended content as described in the fiscal and legislative analyses.

1) Main purpose and intent

  • The bill establishes a framework, titled the Tennessee Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Support (TN-VICTIMS) Act, to improve violent crime clearance rates and victim support through targeted grants to law enforcement agencies.
  • The overarching goal is to increase the likelihood of solving violent crimes (clearance rate) and deter violence by raising perceived chances of apprehension.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of a grant program (subject to general appropriations) administered by the Department of Finance and Administration (Office of Criminal Justice Programs, OCJP) to fund eligible agencies.
  • Eligible recipients: any law enforcement agency or office of a district attorney general in Tennessee.
  • Partners in administering the grant program: OCJP in coordination with the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST), the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA), and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
  • Grant purpose: to support strategies and initiatives aimed at:
    • Increasing violent crime clearance rates.
    • Enhancing engagement and support for victims of violent crime.
  • Reporting requirement: agencies that receive grants must annually report to OCJP on activities conducted with grant funds during the preceding fiscal year.
  • Definitions included for the act:
    • “Violent crime” aligns with the FBI’s UCR definition.
    • Other defined terms include the Academy, Bureau, Commission, and “eligible agencies.”
  • Sunset: The act would repeal on July 1, 2031, unless reenacted or extended by the General Assembly.
  • Funding authorization and structure (per fiscal analyses):
    • State expenditures: initial and ongoing grant administration costs plus grants to agencies.
    • Local government impact: mandatory revenue and expenditures to be distributed as grants (assumed to be 5% of current Violent Crime Intervention (VCI) grant funding as a baseline proxy).
    • Estimated fiscal specifics:
    • FY25-26: ~$2,818,300 in state expenditures (including personnel for grant administration and grants) and $2,500,000 in local government funds.
    • FY26-27 through FY30-31: ~$2,815,300 in state expenditures annually (slight ongoing admin costs) plus $2,500,000 in local grants annually.
    • Personnel: about 3 new positions (Grant Administrator 1 and Grant Administrator 2 as needed) to manage the program, with a one-time $3,000 for computer costs.
    • The budgetary notes indicate a reliance on existing OCJP grant frameworks and that the POST, TLETA, and TBI can provide consultation within existing resources.

Important caveat from fiscal analysis: the program’s scope is broader than current Violent Crime Intervention grants; estimates assume a 5% share of VCI expenditures for grant funding to TN-VICTIMS-type initiatives.

3) People and entities affected

  • State government:
    • OCJP will administer the new grant program, require annual reporting from recipients, and coordinate with POST, TLETA, and TBI.
    • A potential increase in staffing (Grant Administrators) to manage grant oversight, reporting, and compliance.
  • Local governments and law enforcement agencies:
    • Eligible agencies may receive grant funding to implement initiatives to raise violent crime clearance and support victims.
    • Agencies must report annually on how grant funds were used.
  • Victims of violent crime:
    • Indirect beneficiaries through enhanced support programs funded by the grants.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon becoming law.
  • Sunset: Repeals on July 1, 2031, unless renewed or extended.
  • Reporting: Annual program activity reporting required by grant recipients to OCJP.
  • Funding timeline:
    • Initial funding is authorized in the 2025-26 period, with ongoing allocations through 2030-31, per the fiscal notes.
    • The fiscal notes project a total of roughly $2.5 million in local funding annually, sourced via assumed allocations related to existing VCI funding levels.

5) Additional notes

  • The bill’s amendment package (Senate Bill 222 / House Bill 1027 amendment) reorients the bill toward a structured grant program rather than substantive changes to existing criminal procedure or individual rights.
  • The bill quotes non-substantive prior language in the amendment to reflect the sponsor’s process; the core substantive action remains the creation of the TN-VICTIMS grant mechanism described above.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law (TCA Title 38, Title 39, Title 40) to highlight the exact statutory changes and any potential interaction with existing procedures.

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

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