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Senate panel backs raising court‑cost cap for hands‑free violations
Summary
The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee recommended Senate Bill 1591 with amendment 03323 to increase the statutory court‑cost cap for hands‑free law violations; sponsor said the state averages "over 12,000 convictions per year." The measure was recommended for passage to the calendar committee (9 ayes, 2 noes).
Senator Hale, sponsor of Senate Bill 1591, told the committee an amendment raises the cap on court costs tied to Tennessee’s hands‑free driving law so counties aren’t left covering enforcement costs. "Since the since the enactment of the hands free law, we've averaged over 12,000 convictions per year in Tennessee," Hale said while explaining the amendment would set court costs at 50% of the routine cost for other moving violations.
Members asked follow‑up questions about how the change would vary by jurisdiction; Hale estimated the change would raise state revenue by about $290,000 and local revenue by roughly $390,000. After discussion the committee voted and the chair said the bill was recommended for passage to the calendar committee (the roll call was recorded as 9 ayes, 2 noes).
