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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
With the 2026 legislative session officially kicking off on Tuesday, Jan. 13, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 27) has formally introduced two bills dealing with immigration enforcement as Republican leadership has signaled an intent to more strongly address the issue this year.
SB1464 was initially filed by Johnson in June of 2025 in response to an executive order by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell which led to the doxxing of several federal immigration agents during a multi-agency operation in the Davidson County area last summer.
According to the bill’s summary, its intent is to make “certain records regarding immigration enforcement actions confidential and not subject to public disclosure by state or local government entities or officials.”
The legislation will require that sensitive information like names, addresses, or other personal identities be kept confidential for federal, state, and local officers or agents participating in federal immigration enforcement efforts. Additionally, information related to specific operational activities, such as dates and times, locations, logistics, or strategies must also be kept confidential.
It would become a Class E felony for state and local officials to negligently release identifying information of officers involved in immigration enforcement. Furthermore, any official who acts with “criminal negligence” by violating the law could be subject to removal from office.
Johnson previously said of the bill, “The people of Tennessee expect their elected leaders to protect law enforcement- not endanger them. That is why I filed SB1464 which establishes criminal penalties for any public official who compromises the safety of law enforcement officers or disrupts federal immigration enforcement efforts.”
House Speaker Cameron Sexton is reportedly supportive of the measure, and thus far, 14 other Senators have signed on as co-sponsors, all Republicans. Those Senators are Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Ferrell Haile, Ken Yager, Bo Watson, Adam Lowe, Bobby Harshbarger, John Stevens, Tom Hatcher, Dawn White, Richard Briggs, Paul Rose, Brent Taylor, Shane Reeves, and Jessie Seal.
The second bill, SB1587, would prohibit illegal aliens from operating a commercial motor vehicle in the state and requires the law enforcement agency that arrests such illegals to notify federal immigration authorities.
It also modifies state law to say that no employer may allow, permit, or authorize any employee to operate a commercial vehicle in the United States if the employee is an illegal alien and creates an offense for a person knowingly allowing a person “unlawfully present” in the country to operate a commercial vehicle in the state, deeming it a Class A misdemeanor.
SB1597 would additionally create civil liabilities for accidents caused by illegal aliens, particularly crafting accountability for employers who knowingly allow illegals on the road and state officials or employees who knowingly issue commercial driver licenses to illegal aliens. Any person who suffers personal injury or property damage caused by an illegal’s operation of a commercial vehicle would be entitled to recover compensatory damages, punitive damages of at least $1 million, and court costs/attorney’s fees.
And the state attorney general would also be granted cause of action to sue an employer allowing illegals on the road and any state officials or employees knowingly issuing commercial driver licenses. The state may recover declaratory and injunctive relief, civil penalties of at least $1 million, and court costs/attorney’s fees from each employer who violates the law.
Both bills have passed the Senate on first consideration, meaning they were properly filed for introduction. On the next legislative day following the introduction, likely Wednesday, Jan. 14, the bills will be passed on a second reading then referred by the Senate Speaker to the appropriate committee for consideration and debate to begin.
Other immigration-centric bills are likely to be seen in the next few weeks as Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton recently announced Republican leadership has been working with Trump policy advisor and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller on developing a slate of “strong” anti-illegal immigration bills they aim to set as a model for other red states.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
