TN HB1706

Prohibits persons unlawfully present in the United States from operating commercial motor vehicles in Tennessee, and makes it a Class A misdemeanor for such persons to operate or for others to knowingly allow them to operate commercial vehicles

Requires law enforcement to notify federal immigration authorities through the 287(g) program or the state's centralized immigration enforcement division when arresting violators

Imposes strict, absolute, joint, and several liability on employers who knowingly allow unlawfully present persons to operate commercial vehicles, with mandatory punitive damages of at least $1,000,000, plus compensatory damages and attorney's fees

Authorizes the Attorney General and private citizens (qui tam plaintiffs) to bring civil actions against violating employers, with civil penalties of at least $1,000,000 per violation; qui tam plaintiffs may receive 25-50% of recovered proceeds depending on state involvement

Takes effect July 1, 2026