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Tennessee House amends and advances bill treating single adult performances like adult-oriented businesses
Summary
Lawmakers debated House Bill 884 on Jan. 13, 2026, including an amendment to apply existing location rules to single adult performances; the amendment passed and the bill was recorded as 73–24 in the subsequent vote amid floor objections and questions about the bill's scope.
The Tennessee House of Representatives considered House Bill 884 on third and final reading on Jan. 13, 2026, with Chairman Todd moving passage and lawmakers debating whether the measure would broaden the definition of "adult-oriented establishment."
Chairman Todd argued the bill would treat a single adult performance the same as a business whose primary activity is adult-oriented, applying location restrictions in Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA 7-51-1407(a)) such as 1,000-foot setbacks from churches, childcare facilities and schools. He described the amendment before the House as correcting the effective date and ensuring a single performance meets the same distance requirements as establishments whose predominant business is adult entertainment.
Representative McKenzie challenged the change, saying the earlier removal of the word "predominantly" from a prior definition risked sweeping in mainstream retailers. "Now any entity, any business is established as an adult oriented business, if they carry something that someone deems adult oriented," McKenzie said, warning that stores like Target or Walmart could be affected. Representative McKinsey asked whether the bill still recognized "indoor oriented establishment" terminology; Chairman Todd replied the bill does not change that definition and that the amendment clarifies application to single performances.
After a procedural exchange and adoption of Amendment No. 2 (which the sponsor described as correcting the effective date and clarifying application of the distance requirements), the House voted on final passage. The roll call was recorded at 73 yes and 24 no. During and after the tally, members pressed questions about the bill's scope and intent, and the speaker addressed floor decorum during the debate.
The measure’s proponents emphasized protecting certain public spaces by imposing consistent distance requirements; opponents said the bill could unintentionally expand regulatory reach and distract from other policy priorities. The House record shows the amendment passed and a final vote was recorded; the transcript reflects continuing disagreement about the bill’s breadth among members.
The next procedural step for the bill (if successful on final passage) would be transmittal to the Senate for consideration; the transcript does not record subsequent action on that step.
