Tenn. Code Ann. § 9-1-109: Penalties for nonpayment of checks or money orders

If any check or money order so received is not duly paid, in addition to other penalties provided by law, there shall be paid as a penalty by the person who tendered such check or money order, upon written notice and demand by the state, county or municipal officer to whom such check was tendered, an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the amount of such check or money order, except that if the amount of the check or money order is less than two thousand dollars ($2,000), the penalty under this section shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) or the amount of the check, whichever is lesser.