House Bill 540 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 39-12-203, by adding a new subdivision that classifies animal fighting as a form of racketeering activity. The new subdivision (RRR) explicitly identifies animal fighting under the existing law, 39-14-203, as a criminal offense that falls under the broader category of racketeering.

The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the state's commitment to addressing and penalizing animal fighting as a serious crime. This legislative change aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding racketeering activities in Tennessee by including animal fighting as a prosecutable offense.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-12-203(10), 39-12-203