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TN SB2005

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/22/2026

Primary Sponsor

Tom Hatcher

Click for details

Origin

Senate

114th General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Commissioner of commerce and insurance and deputies receive police powers, including arrest authority, for arson cases only if they hold current POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification

  • Municipal fire investigators gain police powers for arson investigations when authorized by their fire chief or director of fire services and POST-certified

  • Salaried county fire investigators receive the same police powers and arrest authority under identical authorization and certification requirements

  • Fire investigators at all levels may still conduct cause-and-origin investigations without POST certification, provided they are not exercising police powers

  • Takes effect January 1, 2027; requires certified fire investigators to complete annual in-service training to maintain certification

Legislative Description

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 38 and Title 68, relative to fire investigation.

Fire Prevention and Investigation

Last Action

Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

3/16/2026

Committee Referrals

Calendar3/16/2026
Judiciary2/5/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available