Rep. Elaine Davis

Maddy summaryHB 1551 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to coordinate with the Department of Safety to provide driver licenses to inmates discharged after serving felony sentences who had a valid license before incarceration and plan to live in Tennessee. It automatically extends the expiration date of an inmate's driver license by six months if it expired during incarceration or within six months after release. The bill clarifies that a license expired solely due to incarceration is considered "in good standing," and inmates without valid licenses may receive a photo ID license instead. This policy directly affects released felons who held valid licenses prior to imprisonment.

Maddy summaryHB 1741 requires insurers covering incarcerated individuals in Tennessee to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids on their preferred drug lists (PDL). Specifically, insurers must not disadvantage or discourage coverage for non-opioid pain treatments compared to opioids, provided the non-opioid has been FDA-approved for pain management for at least nine months. The bill applies to all insurance policies covering inmates, including those through TennCare or private insurers, and amends multiple Tennessee Code titles related to healthcare coverage. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not prevent insurers from favoring one opioid over another or one non-opioid over another.

Maddy summaryHB 2152 amends Tennessee law to change how indemnity payments are calculated for livestock destroyed to prevent disease spread. It requires payments to be based on the fair market value of the animal, rather than previous standards, subject to available funding. The bill specifies that partial payments may be issued if full fair market value cannot be covered by funds, and payments may be denied if owners violated disease control rules. This directly affects livestock owners in Tennessee who lose animals due to disease control measures, with funding dependent on separate legislative appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 2329 changes a reporting deadline for Tennessee school districts regarding nurse staffing. It moves the date when districts must report to the state education department from July 31 to July 1 if they lack at least one school nurse for every 750 students. The bill directly affects local school districts (LEAs) that fail to meet the nurse-to-student ratio requirement. This is a procedural amendment to Tennessee law (amending Titles 49 and 68), adjusting the timeline for reporting compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 1711 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies and local governments to submit quarterly reports to a state immigration enforcement division about persons not lawfully present in the U.S., including arrests for immigration violations. It also mandates the Department of Finance and Administration to annually report the state's costs for public services - such as schools, prisons, hospitals, and social services - provided to these individuals, starting December 31, 2026. These reports must be submitted to the governor and legislative leaders. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 4, 7, 8, and 9 to establish these reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1675 requires Tennessee school districts (LEAs) to classify school nurses as "licensed personnel" for salary purposes, mandating they receive at least the base salary for licensed teachers with a bachelor's degree and zero experience. School nurses with more training/experience must receive higher pay, while those with less must receive lower pay, based on specific qualifications like nursing licensure and national certification. The bill applies only to district-employed nurses (not contractors) and prevents salary reductions for nurses already employed when the new salary schedule takes effect. It becomes effective for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors Amelia Margaret "Millie" Haymaker for her exemplary work as a legislative intern assisting Representatives Elaine Davis and Dave Wright during the 2026 session. The measure formally commends her for her dedication, community involvement, and academic achievements while serving in the Tennessee General Assembly. Passed unanimously by the House of Representatives, the resolution expresses appreciation for her contributions and offers good wishes for her future career in law.

Maddy summaryHB 36 modifies Tennessee's parole and furlough rules for state inmates. It removes the requirement that an inmate must be "chronically debilitated or incapacitated" for the corrections commissioner to certify them as parole-eligible, expanding eligibility to inmates meeting age (55+), time served (10+ years), and non-violent offense criteria. The bill also changes furlough rules, allowing the commissioner to grant furloughs if an inmate cannot perform at least one basic daily activity in prison due to a medical condition causing debilitation or incapacity. These changes apply to inmates not convicted of violent sexual offenses or multiple murders. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-35-501 and 41-21-227.

Maddy summaryHB 22 requires Tennessee local governing bodies (like city councils and school boards) to set aside dedicated time during public meetings for community members to comment on **any issue relevant to their work**, not just topics listed on the agenda. This amendment to Tennessee’s open meetings law (TCA Title 8, Chapter 44) expands public participation by mandating a formal comment period for all germane matters. The key change ensures residents can address concerns before the governing body votes, regardless of whether those topics appear on official meeting agendas. This applies to all covered local government bodies across Tennessee, enhancing transparency in decision-making.

Maddy summaryHB 2153, known as "Katherine's Law," creates a new offense called "aggravated domestic assault" under Tennessee law. This offense applies when someone intentionally or knowingly assaults a domestic abuse victim (as defined in existing law) using a deadly weapon, strangulation, or causing serious injury or death. Aggravated domestic assault is classified as a Class B felony, making it a more serious criminal charge than standard domestic assault. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and will apply to offenses occurring on or after that date.