Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill allowing charitable organizations or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to be held liable for crimes committed by illegal immigrants who receive housing assistance from the organization passed on the House floor on Wednesday.
House Bill 0811 (HB0811), sponsored by Representative Rusty Grills (R-Newbern-District 77), received 70 votes in favor and 23 opposed.
The bill’s sponsor, has called it a “public safety” bill simply “requires NGOs to be more vigilant in their vetting and their supervising.”
The text of the bill states that the legislation “allows a charitable organization that provides housing to a person whom the charitable organization knows is unlawfully present in the United States to be held liable for a loss, damages, injury, or death resulting from a criminal offense committed by the person who is unlawfully present in the United States while the person is receiving housing services from the charitable organization if the charitable organization’s conduct in providing housing constitutes negligence, gross negligence, or willful and wanton misconduct.”
“Housing” is defined as long-term living accommodations, including assistance with obtaining or signing a lease for an apartment or rental homes and does not include temporary overnight housing such as homeless shelters or storm shelters.
The corresponding Senate Bill 0227 (SB0227), sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31), already passed on the Senate floor on April 3rd, 2025, in a 24 to 4 vote with Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10) abstaining from voting.
The bill will now make its way to Governor Bill Lee’s desk where he can choose to sign it, veto it or allow it to pass into law without his signature.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Good, thanx. Assume all against were dimmercraps?