Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-17-113: Compliance - Penalties - Hearings - Investigations

(a) The secretary may publicly or privately investigate, as the secretary of state deems necessary, any person or organization that the secretary has reason to believe has violated this chapter. The secretary may assess a civil penalty against any person, or a nonprofit organization, not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for a violation of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter. Any hearing on the imposition of a civil penalty pursuant to this section shall be in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.

(b) The Tennessee bureau of investigation shall have jurisdiction over, and shall investigate, violations of §§ 39-17-651 - 39-17-657 and reports of official misconduct concerning this chapter in a manner consistent with title 38, chapter 6, part 1.

(c) Subsection (a) shall apply to applications and annual events to be conducted on and after July 1, 2005.