NASHVILLE, TN. (Times Free Press) -- Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield's anti-gang bills flew over their first hurdle Tuesday in the House Judiciary Subcommittee, but the projected $1.92 million annual cost on one of the measures could trap it in the legislative equivalent of the slammer.
The first bill would apply the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to criminal gang leaders. The estimated $109,000 annual cost for the RICO bill shouldn't prove to be too big a problem, proponents said.
But the second bill would enhance penalties for anyone actively participating in any gang who knows members engage in a pattern of criminal gang activity and willfully promote any felonious criminal conduct.
That got slapped by the Fiscal Review Committee staff with the $1.92 million fiscal note, which could pose significant problems when it goes through the Finance Committee, said the sponsor, Rep. Vince Dean, R-East Ridge.
Read more on the story from our news partners at the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
