NASHVILLE— This week, State Representative Ron Gant (R-Rossville) introduced House Bill 1041 in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
HB 1041 will allow Tennessee courts to issue enhanced sentencing for those criminals who are also unlawfully present in the U.S. The enhancement factor will be at the discretion of Tennessee Judges and will apply only if the defendant was illegally or unlawfully in the country at the time that the criminal offense was committed.
“The safety of our citizens is of the utmost importance, this measure will join with other protective laws to ensure just that,” said Representative Gant. “This is a common sense piece of legislation that not only works to keep Tennesseans safe, but also punishes undocumented criminals to the fullest extent of the law.”
HB 1041 has garnered the support of 32 co-sponsors prior to its first debate in Subcommittee this week. You can read the full text of the bill and track its progress at: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1041.
Ron Gant serves as the Assistant Majority Floor leader. He is also a member of the House Health Committee and the House Calendar and Rules Committee, as well as the House Insurance & Banking Sub and Full Committees. Ron lives in Rossville and represents House District 94, which includes Fayette, McNairy, and part of Hardeman County. He can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (615) 741-6890.
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