Rep. Robert Stevens

Maddy summaryHB 1162 allows public charter schools authorized by a county school system to use available buildings or facilities within a city school district in the same county, under specific conditions. It applies only to counties where a single city school system operates, requiring charter schools to lease facilities through a written agreement for educational use. The bill modifies Tennessee law to permit this limited expansion beyond a charter school's originally authorized geographic area. This change enables charter schools needing additional space to access city facilities without requiring the city school district to approve enrollment outside its boundaries.

Maddy summaryHB 76 prohibits abandoning an animal in one's custody and removes the defense that the animal was left near a shelter, vet clinic, or other care facility if reasonable arrangements for the animal's care weren't made. It directly affects pet owners, breeders, and anyone with custody of animals by making abandonment a prosecutable offense without that defense. The bill amends Tennessee law (TCA Title 39, Chapter 14) to clarify that abandonment at shelter locations doesn't excuse prosecution if proper care wasn't arranged. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1163 changes how Tennessee allocates state education funding for students attending public charter schools. It requires the state education department to send the state share of funds generated by charter school students directly to the charter school - instead of routing those funds through the local school district (LEA) where the charter is located. This applies to funds calculated under the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula. The bill also adds new requirements for charter schools to use standardized financial reporting systems to track all state and federal education funds. This policy directly affects public charter schools (by increasing their direct funding) and local school districts (by removing a funding source for charter students).

Maddy summaryHB 997 prohibits Tennessee public charter schools and local school districts from charging registration, enrollment, or tuition fees to students who live in the same county and transfer to a charter school from another school within that county. It directly affects county public charter schools, local school districts (LEAs), and students moving between schools in the same county. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly ban these fees for intra-county transfers, ensuring no cost barriers for such student movements. The law took effect immediately upon becoming public law (Ch. 388).

Maddy summaryHB 745 extends the deadline for banks and financial institutions (garnishees) from one to two business days after receiving a garnishment order to: (1) check if they hold funds or property belonging to a judgment debtor, (2) place a hold on available funds, and (3) send the garnishment notice to the debtor. The bill directly affects debtors whose assets are being garnished and the financial institutions handling these requests. It also adds provisions requiring banks to include reasonable attorney fees in claims when warranty breaches aren’t paid within 30 days after written notice. These changes amend Tennessee banking laws in Titles 26, 45, and 47. The bill became law on April 30, 2025 (Public Chapter 174).

Maddy summaryHB 78 clarifies where cases involving violations of release conditions (like failing to comply with court-ordered restrictions) can be prosecuted in Tennessee. It specifies that such cases are generally heard in the county where the violation occurred, but if parts of the violation happened in multiple counties, prosecution can occur in either county. This affects prosecutors, defendants, and courts handling these cases by streamlining jurisdiction. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-11-154 and 40-11-154 to make these venue rules explicit.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution (HJR 509) commemorating the 250th anniversary of the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the start of the American Revolutionary War. It honors the minutemen and patriots who fought and died for American independence, recognizing their role in shaping the nation. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws, change policies, or directly affect any individuals or groups. The resolution was formally adopted by Tennessee's General Assembly and signed into effect by the governor.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 311 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Shirley Maxine Winfree, former mayor of La Vergne and the first female mayor of the city (elected 1990). The resolution recognizes her legacy as a trailblazer for women in Rutherford County, including her work founding the Winfree Employment Agency (the first female-owned business there) and her role in establishing the La Vergne Water Treatment Plant. It formally expresses condolences to her surviving family members - granddaughter Amber Davis, grandson John Wesley Winfree, and great-grandchildren - and commemorates her decades of public service and community dedication. The resolution was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on March 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 317 is a joint resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to recognize Lee and Susan Moss for receiving the Dr. Liz Rhea Philanthropist Award from the Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation. The resolution honors their community philanthropy, including a lead gift that expanded the neonatal intensive care unit at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, now named the Lee and Susan Moss Family NICU. It highlights their decades of service, such as Lee Moss's leadership in banking and Susan Moss's volunteer work with local organizations. The resolution has no binding effect but serves as a formal expression of legislative appreciation for their contributions.

Maddy summaryHJR 316 is a resolution recognizing the Murfreesboro Anesthesia Group (MAG) for receiving the Physician Champion Award from the Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation. The resolution highlights MAG's service since 1971, including providing over 20,000 annual anesthesia cases (such as 4,000 labor epidurals and 7,000 nerve blocks) and pioneering ultrasound-guided regional nerve blocks to improve patient safety. It commends MAG's partnership in advancing cardiac surgery programs and its role in elevating healthcare standards across Rutherford County. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but formally honors the group's community contributions.