Tennessee Senate Bill SB2308

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10, Chapter 7, relative to public records.

Impact

The bill's impact on state law is significant as it differentiates between the confidentiality of execution personnel's identities and the suppliers of the drugs used. While the names of executioners and others directly involved are deemed confidential and exempt from public disclosure, the information concerning the suppliers of execution drugs remains open to public inspection. This change aims to increase accountability regarding the sourcing of drugs while also protecting the privacy of those directly engaged in the execution process.

Summary

Senate Bill 2308 introduces amendments to Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 10, Chapter 7, pertaining to public records. The bill seeks to revise the handling of information related to the death penalty, particularly concerning the identities of the individuals involved in carrying out a death sentence. This legislation seeks to create a divide between the anonymity of the execution personnel and the transparency around the suppliers of lethal injection drugs used in executions.

Contention

Notable points of contention around SB2308 include the balance between the need for transparency in the administration of the death penalty and the personal safety and privacy of execution personnel. Critics of the bill may argue that it heightens the scrutiny on suppliers without adequate protections for those involved in carrying out sentences. Additionally, the bill's provision allowing public access to remuneration information of suppliers may raise concerns about the ethical implications of public relations regarding death penalty enforcement within the state.