Rep. Lowell Russell

Maddy summaryHB 1820 requires any person elected or appointed as a Tennessee constable on or after August 1, 2030, to graduate from a Tennessee POST-approved law enforcement training academy. This requirement does not apply to individuals who have already served one full term as constable and are re-elected to the position after that date. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 8-10-102(a)(1)(F) and related titles to establish this training standard for new constables. It directly affects future constable candidates in Tennessee, excluding re-elected incumbents with prior service. The law takes effect upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally commends Major Stacey Heatherly on her retirement from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. It recognizes her service as East Bureau Major of Field Operations and acknowledges her previous work as Campbell County E-911 Coordinator and Director. The resolution highlights her professional achievements and personal contributions to the community, including her family's military service. The document serves as an official record of appreciation rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally honors Edyth Ann Worthy on the occasion of her 100th birthday. It directly affects Ms. Worthy by officially recognizing her life achievements and contributions to her community. The resolution acknowledges her educational background, career as an educator and coach, and various personal milestones. No new laws or policies are created; the measure serves solely as a ceremonial tribute to a centenarian citizen.

Maddy summaryHB 1814 allows courts to let individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) involving alcohol or opioids choose between two options: using a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device or receiving naltrexone injections for 12 months at their own expense. If the person opts for naltrexone, the court must include reporting requirements for the treatment as a probation condition, and failure to comply could lead to probation revocation. The bill directly affects DUI offenders in Tennessee who face sentencing for alcohol or opioid-related violations. It amends Tennessee law to provide this alternative to ignition interlock devices, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1812 expands Tennessee's assisted suicide law to include intentionally advising or encouraging someone to commit suicide within an imminent timeframe, provided the person knows the other has communicated suicidal intent. This directly affects individuals who provide verbal encouragement or advice to someone actively considering suicide. The bill adds a new provision defining this specific conduct as a criminal offense, while maintaining that general assisted suicide remains a Class D felony (Class C if the victim is a minor). The law would take effect July 1, 2026, applying to acts committed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors the memory of Thomas Cory Myers Gunnels, a former Tennessee state representative who passed away in 2021 after battling cancer. The bill formally recognizes his contributions as a public servant and community member, noting his family life, faith, and personal interests. It directs the General Assembly to express sympathy to his family and authorizes the preparation of a copy of the resolution for presentation to Gunnels' family. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as a commemorative gesture to acknowledge his life and legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 1022 amends Tennessee law to explicitly permit the use of pharmaceutical fentanyl in lethal injection protocols for carrying out death sentences. This change directly affects individuals sentenced to death in Tennessee, allowing correctional officials to include fentanyl as part of the execution method. The bill adds a new subsection to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-23-114, specifying that lethal injection protocols "may include" fentanyl. The policy change takes effect on July 1, 2025, for most purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 2164 would allow the Tellico Village Property Owners Association (a nonprofit community association created in 1985) to place its water and wastewater services under the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation. The bill amends state law to create a new category for qualifying associations that serve at least 5,000 residential lots, provide emergency services, and exclusively serve their members with utility services. It requires the association's governing board to formally request regulation by the board. This bill specifically affects Tellico Village's utilities and establishes a procedural pathway for similar associations meeting the defined criteria. The change would shift regulatory oversight from local governance to the state board for these services.

Maddy summaryHB 1831 prohibits using or selling personal information (like home/work addresses, phone numbers, or Social Security numbers) obtained from Tennessee government records for business purposes. It requires individuals requesting such records to sign an affidavit promising not to commercialize the data. Violating this rule is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine per person affected. The law does not apply if an individual explicitly authorizes the commercial use of their information.

Maddy summaryHB 1832 modifies Tennessee's driver license rules to allow certain individuals to obtain a for-hire endorsement for Class D vehicles without meeting the standard two-year unrestricted driving requirement. It directly affects people who have completed incarceration for a conviction, currently hold a restricted license due to unpaid fines/court costs, and are making payments under a court-ordered plan. The key provision waives the driving experience requirement for these applicants, enabling them to qualify for the endorsement while ensuring they meet other standard criteria like age and vehicle ownership rules. This change aims to provide a pathway for reentry into commercial driving for a specific group facing barriers due to past legal issues and financial obligations.