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HB 1274

DUI Offenses - As enacted, requires the Tennessee bureau of investigation to provide a report to the speakers of the senate and the house of representatives on or before January 1 each year, until July 1, 2029, detailing the instances in the most recent year for which complete data is available in which a person was arrested for driving under the influence but where no alcohol or other intoxicants are detected in the person's blood or breath. - Amends TCA Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 38.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Johnny Shaw

Tennessee requires annual DUI arrest reports through 2029 when no alcohol or drugs were detected, potentially exposing enforcement disparities and testing accuracy issues.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 327
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Bill Summary · HB 1274

Legislative bill overview

HB 1274 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to submit annual reports through July 2029 documenting DUI arrests where no alcohol or drugs were detected in the driver's system. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated to establish this reporting requirement and became public law in May 2025.

Why is this important

This bill addresses a potentially significant gap in DUI enforcement data—cases where people are arrested for impaired driving despite testing negative for intoxicants. Understanding the frequency and circumstances of these arrests could reveal issues with enforcement practices, testing procedures, or how impairment is determined, which has direct implications for public safety and individual rights.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of impairment without intoxicants: The bill doesn't clarify what constitutes "driving under the influence" if no alcohol/drugs are present—potentially including fatigue, distraction, or medical conditions—raising questions about arrest justification
  • Privacy and law enforcement accountability: Critics may argue the reporting requirement creates transparency into potentially problematic arrests, while law enforcement may view it as accountability scrutiny
  • Data collection burden: Establishing new reporting requirements places administrative load on TBI and may require system changes to track cases that tested negative
  • Limited timeframe: The July 2029 sunset means findings won't inform long-term policy unless the legislature extends or acts on the data

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

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