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SB 1647

Traffic Safety - As introduced, authorizes a law enforcement officer to seize and impound a motor vehicle in any county or municipality that has passed a resolution or ordinance authorizing the seizure and impoundment of a motor vehicle observed by law enforcement to have been used to commit the offense of drag racing or to flee after commission of the offense of drag racing subject to certain restrictions. - Amends TCA Title 6; Title 7; Title 16; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 5.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Pody

Local governments that adopt a resolution can seize and impound vehicles used in drag racing or fleeing from it, with a minimum-maximum impound period up to 120 hours and a local a

Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1647

Summary of Bill: SB 1647 (Session 114) – Tennessee

Title: Traffic Safety – Drag racing seizure and impoundment

Purpose and Intent

  • Authorizes counties or municipalities that pass a resolution or ordinance to seize and impound motor vehicles observed by law enforcement as being used to commit the offense of drag racing or to flee after committing drag racing.
  • Expands existing seizure/forfeiture authority by allowing local jurisdictions to establish an additional, specific impoundment framework for drag racing incidents.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • New Authority (Subsection d of § 55-10-502):

    • In jurisdictions that adopt a resolution or ordinance permitting it, a law enforcement officer may seize and impound a vehicle that was observed being used for drag racing or for fleeing after drag racing.
    • The initiative requires local adoption of a resolution or ordinance to authorize such seizure and impoundment.

  • Local Resolution/Ordinance Requirements:

    • Minimum Impoundment Period: The vehicle must be impounded for a minimum number of hours not to exceed 120 hours before release to the owner, subject to payment of towing and storage fees.
    • Administrative and Judicial Review: The local framework must provide an administrative and judicial process that allows the vehicle owner to contest the seizure, impoundment, and related fines and fees.

  • Definitions (for this subsection):

    • “Impound” means removal to a law enforcement-designated garage or storage facility.
    • “Owner” includes the person with legal title or registered ownership, including an agent or authorized representative.

  • Effective Date:

    • The act takes effect upon becoming law, with severability provisions if any part is invalid.

Who is Affected

  • Local Governments: Counties or municipalities that opt into this framework via a resolution or ordinance can authorize seizure and impoundment of vehicles used in drag racing or fleeing from drag racing.
  • Vehicle Owners: Individuals whose vehicles are observed in drag racing or who flee after drag racing may have their vehicles seized and impounded under the local framework, with the owner responsible for associated fees and potential fines.
  • Law Enforcement: Authorized to implement and execute seizures and impoundments under the approved local resolutions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Local Adoption Required: The seizure/impoundment authority is not statewide by default; it requires a county or municipality to pass a resolution or ordinance.
  • Impoundment Duration: If adopted, the impoundment duration must be a minimum number of hours up to a maximum of 120 hours.
  • Review Process: The local resolution/ordinance must include an administrative and judicial review process for contesting seizure, impoundment, and related fines/fees.
  • Legislative Path: The bill has passed multiple readings in the Senate; assigned to General Subcommittee (as of the latest action), with potential for further consideration.

Fiscal Impact

  • Estimated to be Not Significant. Assumes owners pay towing/impound fees and any fines; the measure is not expected to materially affect state or local revenues.

Additional Details

  • The bill amends multiple titles (Title 6, Title 7, Title 16, Title 40, and Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 5) to integrate the new subsection on drag racing seizure/impoundment.
  • Severability clause included.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law, or a plain-language FAQ for readers.

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

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