Tennessee SB 2253: General Assembly, Directed Studies - As introduced, creates the Tennessee Child Care Task Force. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 49 and Title 71.

Bill Text

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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 726
SENATE BILL NO. 2253
By Pody, Rose, Stevens
Substituted for: House Bill No. 2302
By Freeman, Vital, Reneau, Sparks
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 30 and Title 55, Chapter 8, relative
to autonomous vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-8-202(b), is amended by adding the
following as a new, appropriately designated subdivision:
() "Automated driving system" or "ADS" and "ADS-operated vehicle" have the same
meanings as defined in§ 55-30-102;
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-8-202, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection (b) and redesignating the existing subsection (b) accordingly:
(b )( 1) A state or local law enforcement agency may establish a policy regarding
methods in which to enforce traffic offenses committed by an ADS, including
providing notices of violation or citations, and if such a policy is established, then the
policy must align with the following:
(A) If a POST-certified or state-commissioned law enforcement officer
makes a determination that a traffic offense under this chapter or chapter 9 or
10 of this title has been committed by an automated driving system, then a
notice of violation or a citation must be sent by first class mail to the registered
owner of the ADS-operated vehicle. A notice of violation or citation mailed to
the last known address of the registered owner constitutes valid service;
(B) A notice of violation or citation must be sent within twenty (20)
business days after the occurrence of the violation, absent exigent
circumstances arising from registration irregularities;
(C) All notices of violations or citations must have a return address in
this state and all responses and payments must be made to an address in this
state. A notice of violation or citation must allow for payment of the traffic
violation or citation within thirty (30) days of the mailing of the notice;
(D) An additional penalty or other costs must not be assessed for
nonpayment of a traffic violation or citation issued to a registered owner of an
ADS-operated vehicle unless a second notice is sent by first class mail to the
owner and the second notice provides for an additional thirty (30) days for
payment of the violation or citation; and
(E) The notice of violation or citation must state the amount of the fine
that is being assessed for the alleged violation. The notice of violation or
citation must state separately any additional fees or court costs that may be
assessed if the fine is not paid timely or if the violation or citation is contested
and the ADS is found to have committed the traffic offense.

SB 2253
(2) If a state or local law enforcement agency establishes a policy regarding
methods in which to enforce traffic offenses committed by an ADS in accordance with
subdivision (b)(1), and a POST-certified or state-commissioned law enforcement
officer of the agency makes a determination that a traffic offense under this chapter or
chapter 9 or 10 of this title has been committed by an ADS, and a notice of violation
or citation is issued in accordance with the established policy, then:
(A) The registered owner may elect not to contest the charge and may,
in lieu of appearance in court, submit the fine to the address provided on
notice of violation or citation;
(B) If the traffic citation is not paid within the time specified, then
additional fees or court costs may be assessed; and
(C) If the traffic citation is not paid and the owner appears in court at
the time specified, or such later date as may be fixed by the court, and the
ADS is found to have committed the traffic offense, then additional fees or
court costs may be assessed.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
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PASSED:
SENATE BILL NO. 2253
March 23, 2026
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- ~ RANDYlJicNALL Y
SPEAKER OF THE SENATE
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CAME~EXTON,SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APPROVED this ,~ day of ~r;f 2026
~w -BILL LEE, GOVERNOR