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HB 47

Education - As introduced, authorizes local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, a resolution honoring the history of a school in the LEA or the public charter school, or other historically significant documents in a prominent location in each school building. - Amends TCA Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Michael Hale

HB 47 would criminalize transporting unauthorized immigrants into the state and prohibit forged or fraudulent immigration or identity documents.

Conf. comm. report adopted, Ayes 70, Nays 17 PNV 0
#education
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 47

Summary — HB 47 (Unauthorized aliens; penalize transport into state by any person and prohibit forgery of documents)

Note: The materials you provided include multiple unrelated “HB 47” documents from different states and subjects. No full bill text for the specific HB 47 titled “Unauthorized aliens; penalize transport into state by any person and prohibit forgery of documents” was included. The summary below is therefore limited to: (1) the bill title and the legislative metadata you supplied, and (2) a factual outline of typical provisions, impacts, and issues such a bill would raise. If you can provide the bill’s full text or a link, I will produce a precise clause-by-clause summary.

Purpose and intent

Based on the bill title, HB 47 would seek to (a) create or modify criminal or civil penalties for transporting unauthorized (undocumented) noncitizens into the state, and (b) prohibit the forgery, alteration, or fraudulent use of immigration- or identity-related documents. The stated intent is likely to deter human smuggling/transportation and identity-document fraud related to immigration.

Key provisions likely included (based on title — not from provided bill text)

  • Criminalization or enhancement of penalties for knowingly transporting, harboring, or moving an unauthorized noncitizen into or within the state boundaries.
  • Definitions establishing who is an “unauthorized alien” and what constitutes “transport,” “harboring,” or “assistance.”
  • Prohibitions on creating, possessing, using, or distributing forged, altered, or counterfeit documents (driver’s licenses, ID cards, immigration documents).
  • Penalty structure (misdemeanor or felony classifications, fines, imprisonment) — specifics not provided.
  • Possible aggravating factors (transporting minors, operating a commercial vehicle, repeat offenders).
  • Potential exceptions or defenses (transport for emergency medical care, reporting crime, victims of human trafficking, law enforcement activity).
  • Enforcement provisions: which state/local agencies have authority, reporting requirements, and interaction with federal immigration authorities.
  • Civil liabilities or forfeiture provisions (e.g., vehicle seizure) — uncertain without text.

Who would be affected

  • Undocumented migrants and those providing them transportation (private citizens, drivers, transportation companies).
  • Drivers/operators of vehicles and carriage services (rideshare, bus, shuttle).
  • Household or community members who provide rides in emergency/humanitarian circumstances.
  • Employers or third parties involved in procuring or using forged identity documents.
  • State and local law enforcement agencies (additional enforcement responsibilities and potential costs).

Procedural / timeline status

  • Introduced: August 15, 2025 (per your metadata).
  • Committee action: Listed as “Died In Committee” (no enactment).
  • Because it did not advance, the bill did not become law and has no legal effect.

Potential fiscal and legal considerations

  • Enforcement and incarceration costs for state/local governments (indeterminate).
  • Possible litigation risks: preemption challenges with federal immigration law; constitutional claims (due process, equal protection, Fourth Amendment for enforcement practices); First Amendment or privacy concerns tied to document checks.
  • Operational impacts on local law enforcement and emergency/health providers if exceptions are narrowly written.
  • Interaction with federal enforcement (ICE) and federal jurisdiction over immigration could raise legal complexity.

Next steps / recommendation

  • Provide the bill’s full text or official summary so I can produce a precise, section-by-section summary and list exact penalties, definitions, and exceptions.
  • If available, supply committee analyses, fiscal notes, or attorney-general opinions to assess fiscal impact and legal vulnerabilities.

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

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