Rep. Dan Howell

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Donna Alley Simpson, Bradley County Clerk, for her 39 years of service (including 28 years as Clerk) before her retirement on August 31, 2026. The resolution recognizes her community leadership, awards (including County Clerk of the Year 2006), and dedication to public service, as adopted by the Tennessee House with 70 ayes and 18 nays. It has no policy impact or concrete changes - it solely serves as a formal tribute to her career.

Maddy summaryHB 1749, which was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn on February 4, 2026, proposed two key changes to the Ocoee River recreation fund and management. It expanded the fund’s allowable uses to include tourism promotion (like hiring event coordinators and supporting nonprofit river events) and required board approval for certain infrastructure spending. The bill also replaced the park manager on the fund’s board with the state parks director and restricted commercial permits for river operations, capping them at 24 (then 12) after July 2026 with strict transfer rules for family or business sales. These changes would have directly affected commercial operators, state parks staff, and the Ocoee River management zone. The bill did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1809 raises penalties for certain sewage disposal violations from a Class C to Class B misdemeanor under Tennessee law. It specifically targets individuals or businesses engaged in removing accumulated wastes from septic systems when they unlawfully dispose of sewage. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-102, 68-221-413, and 68-221-713 to increase the penalty level for these offenses. This change directly affects septic waste removal businesses operating in Tennessee, making violations more serious under state law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1810 creates graduated license suspensions for licensed sewage waste removal businesses convicted of illegally dumping sewage. It directly affects individuals operating in this field who violate sewage disposal laws while conducting business. The bill requires courts to notify the Environment Commissioner after a conviction, who must then suspend the person's license for 30 days (first offense), 90 days (second offense), or permanently revoke it (third or subsequent offense). These penalties apply specifically to violations involving illegal sewage disposal from subsurface systems. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1750 requires Tennessee to issue vehicle registration validation stickers with a new color each year, so the sticker for 2027 must differ from 2026's design, and this pattern continues annually. Starting January 1, 2027, the state will change the color scheme of registration validation devices (like stickers) for each calendar year. This affects all vehicle owners in Tennessee who renew their annual registration. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 5-8-102 and 55-4-104 to implement this annual color change requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 212 creates new specialty license plate options for Tennessee drivers, including a "Historic Franklin" plate whose fees will fund Chester Inn State Historic Site. It extends existing specialty plate programs and authorizes motorcycle plates specifically for paratroopers. The bill also updates application processes to allow electronic, mail, or in-person submissions for all specialty plates. These changes directly affect drivers purchasing specialty plates and impact how funds from certain plate sales are allocated. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 73 prohibits the Tennessee Historical Commission and other state entities (except the state building commission) from regulating or taking adverse actions against owners regarding renovations, alterations, or demolition of real property that is **not listed** on the Tennessee Register of Historic Places. The bill specifically applies to properties with historical, architectural, or cultural significance that do not meet the registration criteria. It allows the commission to continue regulating listed properties (those on the Tennessee Register) for aesthetic, non-structural changes. This bill amends Tennessee Code Titles 4, 7, 8, 13, and 66 to clarify regulatory boundaries for historic preservation.

Maddy summaryHB 213 requires Tennessee's transportation department to submit an annual report to legislative committee chairs by January 1, 2026, detailing the status of high-priority bridge replacement projects funded under the state's bridge program. This bill amends Tennessee Code Title 54 to establish this reporting requirement, directly affecting the Department of Transportation and the relevant legislative committees. The provision creates a new accountability mechanism for tracking bridge replacement progress but does not change funding levels, project selection, or naming conventions for infrastructure. It is a procedural measure focused on transparency, not substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 785 requires licensed bail bondsmen in Tennessee to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Revenue detailing the number and total value of bonds issued in each county they operate. It also mandates court clerks to file similar quarterly reports on bonds accepted from bondsmen. These reports enable the Department of Revenue to conduct audits of the bail bonding tax. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections related to bail procedures and tax reporting, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1060 increases the fee that county clerks and other authorized agents can collect for processing hunting and fishing licenses in Tennessee. For annual licenses, the fee rises from $1.00 to $3.00, and for temporary licenses, it increases from $0.50 to $3.00. This change applies to all agents designated under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 70-2-106. The bill directly affects county clerks and other license-selling agents by raising their authorized collection amount.