Rep. Andrew Farmer

Maddy summaryHJR 203 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. John Robinette, a Sevier County School System employee, for being named Supervisor of the Year for 2024-2025. It recognizes his role as Data and Accountability Supervisor since 2022 and his dedication to education, including his family's legacy in the field. The resolution expresses the Tennessee General Assembly's appreciation for his service to students and educators but does not create any new laws, policies, or funding. As a commemorative measure, it has no direct effect on constituents or ongoing legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Dustin Helton, a social studies teacher at Pigeon Forge High School in Sevier County, for being named the 2024-2025 Sevier County School System's Grades 9-12 Teacher of the Year. It formally recognizes his 10 years of teaching, his efforts to connect students with community leaders, and his initiative for students to create school improvement projects. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact - it simply expresses the General Assembly's commendation of his service. The resolution was signed by both legislative chambers and the governor in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 202 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. Amy Case, the 2024-2025 Sevier County School System Principal of the Year. It formally commends her service as principal of Caton's Chapel Elementary School, recognizing her dedication to students, staff, and community engagement. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the Tennessee General Assembly’s appreciation through a formal commendation. This is a standard recognition for an individual’s professional achievement, not a legislative measure with operational provisions.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 123 is a symbolic resolution honoring Judge Norma McGee Ogle for her 23 years of service on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, where she was the court's first female judge. The resolution recognizes her retirement in 2022 and her contributions to the judiciary, including her work as a mentor and her community service. It does not create new laws or affect policy but serves as a formal tribute to her career. The resolution was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 allows Tennessee state agencies and local health departments to submit annual compliance reports electronically instead of on paper for the Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (Titles 4, 50, and 57) to permit this electronic submission method. It directly affects state governmental entities and local health departments that currently file these reports annually. The key change is streamlining the reporting process by adding electronic submission as a permitted option under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 requires all Tennessee public schools to screen every student for dyslexia and mandates the Orton-Gillingham teaching method for students in kindergarten through fifth grade who show dyslexia characteristics. The bill amends education code to specify universal screening (Section 1), require Orton-Gillingham instruction for K-5 students with dyslexia (Section 2), and update educator training requirements to include this method (Section 4). It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, applying to all Local Education Agencies (LEAs). This policy directly affects K-5 students identified with dyslexia and educators responsible for their instruction.

Maddy summaryHB 1130 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to allocate funds to local school districts so they can hire one full-time licensed school counselor at each high school serving 600+ students in grades 10-12. Districts must use these funds to employ the counselor full-time at qualifying schools, though they may convert existing part-time counselors to full-time or use funds to offset costs if they already meet a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio. The bill mandates that these counselors dedicate at least 70% of their time directly to providing student counseling services, with specific guidelines for their roles established by the state board. This policy applies to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, pending legislative funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1123 increases the threshold for medical bills presumed necessary and reasonable in civil lawsuits from $4,000 to $25,000 when itemized bills are attached to the complaint as exhibits. This directly affects plaintiffs in medical malpractice or injury cases who can now have higher medical costs automatically accepted as valid without additional proof. The key mechanism requires plaintiffs to submit itemized bills with their complaint, shifting the burden of proof to defendants for amounts exceeding $25,000. The bill amends specific Tennessee codes and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 460 creates a process for individuals to challenge when their name or address was filed with Tennessee's Secretary of State without their consent. To file a complaint, individuals must provide specific details about the document, their relationship to the filer, and submit under penalty of law. If the Secretary of State finds clear evidence of unauthorized filing, they can void the document, though no filing fee refund is provided to the original filer. This directly affects people whose personal information was submitted without permission and businesses that filed such records.

Maddy summaryHB 461 would require individuals seeking to become online notary publics in Tennessee to complete a state-approved course covering notarial laws, online technology procedures, and ethics, then pass an exam. It also mandates that applicants certify they understand and will comply with all relevant rules. This bill directly affects people applying to work as online notaries by adding these new qualification steps to Tennessee’s existing notary laws. The changes would take effect January 1, 2026, if enacted.