Tennessee legislation · 114th General Assembly
Tennessee HB2263: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, relative to cruelty to animals.
Status: Chaptered, May 18, 2026
Fiscal Summary STATE GOVERNMENTEXPENDITURESIncarceration$4,100 Bill Summary Abstract summarizes the bill.
What the bill says
An act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, relative to cruelty to animals.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, relative to cruelty to animals. SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-14-217(b), is amended by deleting the subsection and substituting: (b) Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e), a person commits aggravated cruelty to a livestock animal who, in a depraved and sadistic manner, intentionally: (1) Starves the livestock animal to death without justifiable or lawful purpose; or (2) Engages in any of the conduct described in subdivisions (c)(1)-(12), the conduct results in serious bodily injury to the animal or the death of the animal, and is without justifiable or lawful purpose. SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it. HB2263
Sponsors
- Martin, Greg (R, 26) · primary sponsor
- Keisling, Kelly (R, 38)
- Lamberth, William (R, 44)
- McCalmon, Jake (R, 63)
- Jones, Renea (R, 4)
Latest actions
- : Comp. became Pub. Ch. 974
- : Sponsor(s) Added.
- : Comp. SB subst.
- : H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/20/2026
- : Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/16/2026
- : Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
- : Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/15/2026
- : Rec for adopt by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
- : Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/15/2026
- : Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
Votes
- FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration (March 30, 2026): 32 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee (March 17, 2026): 7 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Archives, Publications, My Bills
Common questions
- What is HB2263?
- HB2263 is a bill in the Tennessee Legislature (114th General Assembly): AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, relative to cruelty to animals.
- What does HB2263 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, relative to cruelty to animals.
- What is the status of HB2263?
- Chaptered as of May 18, 2026. Latest action: Comp. became Pub. Ch. 974 (May 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2263?
- Martin, Greg (R, 26), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2263?
- On the Tennessee Legislature website: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB2263&GA=114
Source: official Tennessee record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.