Rep. Sam McKenzie

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill honors Harshita Nagar, the 2026 valedictorian at L&N STEM Academy, by formally recognizing her academic achievements. The resolution commends her for earning an exemplary grade point average while participating in extracurricular activities and being named the top student in her graduating class. It expresses the General Assembly's pride in her success and extends best wishes for her future endeavors. The bill is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a policy change, serving as a tribute to individual student excellence.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors Lily Seaton, the 2026 valedictorian of Austin-East High School in Tennessee, for her academic excellence and community pride. The bill formally commends her outstanding grade point average and encourages her future success without changing any laws or policies. It authorizes the General Assembly to present a copy of the resolution to her as a gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors Jelena Armsworth, the 2026 Salutatorian at L&N STEM Academy, for her academic excellence. The bill formally commends her outstanding grade point average and achievements in extracurricular activities. It directs the General Assembly to present a copy of the resolution to her as a gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution from the Tennessee General Assembly that honors Seth Sparks, the 2026 Salutatorian at Austin-East High School. It formally commends him for his outstanding academic achievements, including a high grade point average and participation in extracurricular activities. The resolution serves as an official acknowledgment of his success and extends well wishes for his future.

Maddy summaryHB 2438 designates November 9 each year as "Gold Star Father's Day" in Tennessee to honor fathers who lost children while serving in the U.S. military. The bill specifically recognizes these fathers' sacrifice and loss, directly affecting military fathers who have experienced the death of a child in service. It amends Tennessee Code to establish this annual observance, clarifying it is not a legal holiday. The provision focuses on symbolic recognition, aligning with existing federal and state commemorations for military families.

Maddy summaryHB 2432, known as "Quinton's Law," amends Tennessee's statutes of limitations for wrongful death claims and other civil actions. It extends the deadline for filing wrongful death lawsuits to three years if criminal charges are filed against the alleged perpetrator within two years of the incident, covering cases involving law enforcement, district attorneys, or grand jury prosecutions. For other civil claims like libel, false imprisonment, or civil rights cases, it shortens the filing deadline from two years to one year. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to cases accruing on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2437 exempts the retail sale of "generic food products" from Tennessee's 4% food sales tax. It directly affects grocery retailers and wholesalers that sell food produced by third parties under their own brand name (e.g., store-brand items). The bill amends tax code to define "generic food products" as items manufactured for a retailer by a third party and sold under that retailer's brand. The exemption would take effect July 1, 2026, removing tax on these specific store-branded food items.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that honors and commends Beverly Renée Holland on the occasion of her retirement. It recognizes her 24-year legacy as the founder and operator of God's Creative Enrichment Center in Knoxville, where she provided childcare services and received a child development associate credential. The resolution acknowledges her community service, including her role on the Tennessee State Board of Reviews and receipt of the Martin Luther King Jr. Business of the Year Award. Upon passage, the General Assembly will present a copy of the resolution to Holland as a formal tribute to her contributions to early childhood education and community service.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors the memory of Juanita Usher Cannon, a respected educator and community leader from Knoxville. The resolution recognizes her nearly forty years of service as a teacher, principal, and school administrator, highlighting her achievements as the first African-American president of the Knoxville Education Association and her leadership in community redevelopment projects. It acknowledges her personal and professional accomplishments, including her long membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and her receipt of various community awards, while expressing the General Assembly's respect for her legacy of public service and dedication to improving lives. The measure serves as a commemorative tribute rather than enacting new policy or changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2436 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies using body cameras to create written policies governing their use. These policies must cover when officers must activate cameras (e.g., during calls for service or public encounters), how to handle privacy-sensitive situations (like domestic violence victims or anonymous crime reports), and mandate officer training. The bill prohibits using cameras to record First Amendment activities or unrelated incidents, and requires officers to notify people being recorded when possible. It directly affects all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and officers who use body cameras.