AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29; Title 38 and Title 50, relative to liability for actions of demonstrators.

Description

Fiscal Summary NOT SIGNIFICANT Bill Summary This bill authorizes a person who provides compensation to a demonstrator in exchange for the demonstrator's participation in a demonstration to be vicariously liable for damages caused by the demonstrator if the demonstrator's conduct, while participating in the demonstration for which the person compensated the demonstrator to participate, satisfies the elements of any of the following offenses:  Riot or aggravated riot. Disorderly conduct. Disrupting a meeting, procession, or gathering. Obstructing a highway or passageway, or disobeying a reasonable request or order to move. Harassment. Civil rights intimidation. Desecration of a venerated object. Civil disorder. Disorderly conduct at funerals. Unauthorized placement of signs or markings. In order to establish such liability, this bill requires a plaintiff to prove that a defendant provided compensation to a demonstrator in exchange for the demonstrator's participation in a demonstration and that the demonstrator's conduct satisfies the elements of one of the offenses listed above. However, a plaintiff is not required to produce evidence of a criminal conviction against the demonstrator who received compensation from the defendant. ON MARCH 12, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2222, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 clarifies, in order to establish liability under the bill, that a plaintiff must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant provided compensation to a demonstrator in exchange for participation in a demonstration and that the demonstrator's conduct satisfies the elements of one of the offenses listed in the bill summary. This amendment also requires a plaintiff to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the plaintiff

Subjects

Progress

1. IntroducedFeb 2, 2026
2. Sent to committeeFeb 5, 2026