Senate Bill 1721, also known as House Bill 1698, introduces new provisions to the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the accountability of executive branch employees when providing material statements to legislative committees. The bill allows the chair of a legislative committee to require these employees to offer such statements under oath, with penalties for perjury. Additionally, the executive director of the fiscal review committee must ensure that any material statements submitted for fiscal analysis are attested to as true and correct under penalty of perjury. If there is reasonable suspicion that a false statement has been made, the chair or executive director is required to notify the appropriate legislative speakers, who may then refer the matter to the district attorney general for prosecution.

The bill also amends existing laws to clarify that perjury committed under these new provisions is classified as a Class C misdemeanor. It establishes a clear process for addressing allegations of false statements, including the possibility of investigation prior to referral for prosecution. The new legal language emphasizes the importance of truthful testimony from executive branch employees in legislative processes, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability within the state government. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 3-3-121, 39-16-702(b), 39-16-702