This resolution schedules a one-week recess for Tennessee's 114th General Assembly, setting a recess from the close of business on January 27, 2025, through February 3, 2025. The House of Representatives reconvenes on February 3 at 2:00 p.m. CST, and the Senate reconvenes at 3:00 p.m. CST, as required by the Tennessee Constitution. It directly affects the legislative calendar for both chambers during the 2025 regular session.
HR 5 creates a temporary committee to review a complaint filed by Rueben Dockery against Representative Jason Powell regarding Tennessee's 53rd legislative district. The committee, appointed by the House Speaker, will examine the complaint using procedures outlined in Tennessee law and House rules, then submit findings to the full House. This procedural bill directly affects the complaint process for the 53rd district and the representatives involved, but does not alter voting rights or create new laws. The committee must complete its review and report its recommendations to the House before dissolving.
This is a ceremonial House Resolution (HR 4), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally honors Caroline Vallejos, a retiring elementary pastor at Mosaic Church in Clarksville, for her 35+ years of service in children's ministry. The resolution expresses the Tennessee House's recognition of her dedication to spiritual development and community impact. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect or funding provisions.
This resolution (HR 3) formally recognizes and congratulates the 2025 Tennessee FFA State Officers for their service and achievements. It specifically honors the six officers - T. Wayne Williams (president), Skylar Baird (Middle TN VP), Sarah Ault (West TN VP), Emily Whitehead (East TN VP), Shelbi Wallace (secretary), Eli Julian (treasurer), Paige Pardue (reporter), and Lexi Rush (sentinel) - for their work supporting agricultural education. The resolution highlights their accomplishments, including visiting 82 FFA chapters, hosting 147 workshops, impacting 7,673 students, and traveling over 41,000 miles. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact and solely serves to commend these students.
HJR 6001 is a memorial resolution honoring William "Billy" Earl Knight, a lifelong Millview resident and public servant known for his decades of community involvement as a plumber, veteran, and volunteer. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Tennessee House of Representatives, expresses condolences to his family and commemorates his legacy of integrity, service to local institutions, and dedication to family values. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes Knight's contributions through a ceremonial expression of respect. The resolution was passed by the House on January 28, 2025, and referred to the Senate for consideration.
This Senate Resolution (SR 2) honors Victoria Eady Butler, the first Black female master blender in the premium whiskey industry, for her work with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and her role as a descendant of distiller Nathan "Nearest" Green. It recognizes her achievements through ceremonial language without creating legal obligations or policy changes. The resolution directly affects no individuals or entities beyond expressing the Tennessee Senate's formal appreciation. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect on state law or funding.
This is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) that formally honors Clarksville Area Urban Ministries for operating Clarksville's only winter warming shelter. It recognizes the ministry's work serving unhoused individuals, including providing shelter during cold weather and meeting basic needs for about 20 people monthly. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Tennessee House of Representatives on January 27, 2025, as a gesture of commendation to the ministry, its volunteers, and community partners. It has no effect on laws, funding, or regulations.
This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 1) passed unanimously by the Tennessee House of Representatives to honor Maxine Fields McKenzie on her 90th birthday. It formally recognizes her life achievements, including her 25-year career teaching science at Alpine Crest Elementary School, her service as president of the University of Alabama Alumni Association chapter, and her community involvement as a volunteer. The resolution extends the House's congratulations and best wishes to Mrs. McKenzie, a Chattanooga resident and mother of four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact or financial implications - it serves solely as a formal tribute to an individual.
This bill modifies how funds are managed within Tennessee's K-12 mental health endowment trust. Specifically, it requires that $75 million be moved from the main endowment account to a special reserve account for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The legislation also updates the rules for how the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services plans spending and clarifies that trustees do not decide how the reserve funds are used. These changes affect the state's mental health funding structure by altering the balance between the primary endowment and the special reserve.
This Tennessee law declares that goods produced entirely within the state and sold only to other Tennessees are not subject to federal regulations based on Congress's power to control interstate commerce. The bill defines these items as products grown, manufactured, or harvested in Tennessee using local raw materials that never leave the state's borders. By asserting that such intrastate activities fall under state authority rather than federal oversight, the legislation aims to limit the reach of federal laws over purely local economic transactions.
This bill requires county jails and workhouses to check if inmates with HIV previously received medication coverage from state programs like TennCare. If an inmate's prior coverage is confirmed, the state becomes financially responsible for paying for their HIV medication while incarcerated. The legislation allows counties to file claims for reimbursement and permits the use of federal funds to cover these costs.
This bill, known as the Chris Wright Act, increases penalties for repeat offenders by upgrading third or subsequent domestic assault convictions from misdemeanors to felonies. It also establishes a new rule where committing a sixth or later offense from a specific list of serious misdemeanors, such as theft, assault, or driving under the influence, automatically results in a felony charge. The law defines "qualifying misdemeanors" as over thirty specific crimes and sets strict conditions, including a ten-year look-back period, to determine if a defendant has enough prior convictions to trigger these harsher penalties. Additionally, the bill requires prosecutors to explicitly list these past offenses in legal documents to ensure the enhanced charges are properly applied. These changes aim to provide stricter consequences for individuals with a history of violent or serious non-violent criminal behavior.
