HB 2204

This bill requires the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to conduct a study of the salaries and other benefits paid to state and local law enforcement officers in this state. The study must include the following:  Analysis of how current salaries and benefits paid to such officers affect recruitment, staffing, and retention, particularly in smaller city and county departments, and evaluate potential alternatives for improvement.  Analysis of how state salary increases and adjustments for state law enforcement officers affect recruitment, staffing, and retention of local law enforcement officers. "LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER"" DEFINED As used in this bill, a ""local law enforcement officer"" means a full-time, salaried employee of a political subdivision who is a sheriff, sheriff's deputy, police officer, chief of police, or other law enforcement officer whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime and apprehension of offenders, or who is a correctional officer with the political subdivision. ""STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER"" DEFINED As used in this bill, a ""state law enforcement officer"" means a full-time, salaried employee of the state who is a commissioned member of the department of safety, an agent of the Tennessee bureau of investigation, a commissioned employee of the wildlife resources agency engaged in law enforcement activities on a day-to-day basis, a commissioned member of the alcoholic beverage commission who is engaged in law enforcement activities on a day-to-day basis, or a correctional officer vested with the powers of a law enforcement officer by the commissioner of correction. REPORT This bill requires TACIR to publish a report of its findings and recommendations and deliver a copy of the report to the governor, the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian no later than January 31, 2027. TACIR may request information and input from other appropriate state and local governmental entities, as necessary, and such entities must comply with TACIR's request. The study must be conducted from TACIR's existing resources. ON APRIL 9, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2177, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 authorizes the commissioner of safety to establish a hazardous duty designation for members of the highway patrol that may be used to authorize additional compensation for designated members."