Skip to main content
Independent and nonpartisan. SaveYourState is a civic information resource. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any government agency, party, or campaign.

Tennessee · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026) · Bill

HB 1444: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for aggravated cruelty to animals from a Class E felony to a Class D felony; adds aggravated cruelty to animals as an offense for which a juvenile may be classified as a serious youthful offender. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 1444 is a bill introduced in the Tennessee House on September 16, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for aggravated cruelty to animals from a Class E felony to a Class D felony; adds aggravated cruelty to animals as an offense for which a juvenile may be classified as a serious youthful offender. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39. Primary sponsor: John Gillespie (Republican). Most recent recorded action (April 7, 2026): Sponsor(s) Added.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
John GillespiePrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse97

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Sponsor(s) Added.
  2. Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
  3. Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
  4. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
  5. Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/1/2026
  6. Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
  7. Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
  8. Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
  9. Sponsor(s) Added.
  10. Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
  11. Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
  12. Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/11/2026

Showing 12 most recent of 17 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source