Rep. Andrew Farmer

Maddy summaryHJR 774 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Brittany Ramsey, a Sevier County School System high school teacher, for being named the 2025-2026 Grades 9-12 Teacher of the Year. The resolution formally recognizes her work teaching science and math courses, including AP physics and chemistry, and her contributions to expanding course offerings and curriculum development. This non-binding resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the General Assembly’s commendation of her educational service. It directly affects Ms. Ramsey through public recognition but does not alter laws or programs.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 771 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Stephanie Carr, a PreK-4 teacher at Pittman Center Elementary School in Sevier County, for being named the 2025-2026 Sevier County School System Teacher of the Year. It recognizes her 20+ years of teaching experience, advanced education (including a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction), and leadership roles as a mentor and professional development facilitator. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but serves as a formal tribute from the Tennessee General Assembly, with a copy to be presented to Ms. Carr. The resolution passed unanimously in both chambers and was transmitted to the Governor for acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryHB 2430 requires Tennessee state correctional facilities to provide inmates preparing for release with a food assistance application form from the human services agency. The application must include an option for inmates to decline assistance, specify reasons for declining (with anonymous submission allowed), and be collected by correctional staff before release. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature starting in 2027, tracking the number of completed applications, declines with reasons, and approval rates for food assistance. This policy change directly affects incarcerated individuals transitioning to community life and requires state agencies to implement standardized application and reporting procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1963 allows DUI offenders in Tennessee who qualify for a restricted driver's license to request using a transdermal monitoring device (a skin patch that tracks alcohol use) instead of having to install an ignition interlock device (which prevents a car from starting if alcohol is detected). The bill requires the offender to pay all costs for the monitoring device and explicitly states they cannot receive financial assistance from the state's electronic monitoring indigency fund. This change applies to individuals convicted under Tennessee's DUI laws who are eligible for restricted driving privileges. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to DUI offenses (Title 39, 40, and 55) to establish this alternative monitoring option.

Maddy summaryHB 487 increases court clerk fees for certain services in Tennessee, raising the fee from $100 to $125 for specific filings or actions. This change directly affects individuals and businesses that pay court clerk fees, such as those filing documents or requesting copies. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 8-21-401(b)(2)(B) to implement this fee adjustment. The new fee structure takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1127 changes Tennessee's foreclosure process by extending the required notice period for land sales from 10 to 12 business days before a foreclosure sale. This affects homeowners facing foreclosure and lenders seeking to sell property to recover debts under deeds of trust, mortgages, or court orders. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 35-5-114(d) and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 486 modifies Tennessee law to require district public defenders to meet certain deadlines within ten business days instead of ten calendar days, effective July 1, 2025. This change directly affects public defenders' offices across Tennessee by extending the timeframe for completing specific legal tasks, accounting for weekends and holidays. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to public defender procedures (Title 8, Chapter 14; Title 9, Chapter 4) without creating new positions or altering funding. It streamlines administrative processes for public defenders while maintaining existing service requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 revises Tennessee's laws governing county constables by establishing new training requirements and removing certain certification barriers. It requires all constables newly elected or appointed on or after July 1, 2025, to complete 128 hours of law enforcement training within their first year, with a pairing requirement with experienced officers during training unless they have prior POST-certified experience. The bill eliminates the requirement for constables to be certified by the POST commission to perform their duties and removes any mandated work-hour minimums for maintaining certification. This directly affects county constables in Tennessee, changing how they qualify and train for their roles.

Maddy summaryHB 1125 changes two education policies in Tennessee. It extends the required classroom presence time from 5 to 10 business days for student records to count toward teacher evaluations. It also allows school districts to pay deceased teachers' estates for unused sick and annual leave, matching compensation rules for state employees. These changes directly affect teachers, school districts, and families of deceased educators. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 492 modifies Tennessee law to change how courts consider child support payments in custody decisions. It removes the previous requirement that a parent must have failed to pay support for three years or more, instead requiring courts to consider any failure to pay court-ordered child support as a factor. The bill also clarifies that courts may limit or deny parenting plan provisions if a parent has not paid child support. This directly affects parents with outstanding child support obligations and courts making custody or parenting plan rulings under Tennessee Code §§ 36-6-106 and 36-6-406.