Rep. Dan Howell

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 57 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Jessie Lee Coppock on her 104th birthday, scheduled for March 7, 2025. The resolution recognizes her life story, including her family's experiences during the Great Depression and their perseverance through hardships like sharecropping and resourceful food preservation. It expresses the legislature's best wishes for her birthday without creating any new laws or policies. This type of resolution is purely symbolic and does not affect any laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHJR 128 is a ceremonial memorial resolution honoring Lois Johnson Bates, a longtime nurse and community volunteer from Benton, Tennessee. The resolution commemorates her 40-year nursing career at local healthcare facilities, her 30+ years of volunteer work with The Empty Stocking Fund and Meals on Wheels, and her family life. It does not create any new laws or policies - it simply expresses the General Assembly's condolences to her family and recognizes her legacy of public service. As a memorial resolution, it has no direct impact on legislation or affected parties.

Maddy summaryHB 1223 requires Tennessee's advisory commission (TACIR) to study health insurers' claim denial practices over the past five years (2021-2025). The bill mandates TACIR to analyze how often insurers deny coverage or reimbursements, including denial rates by insurer, notification processes, appeal procedures, and recoupment practices. It specifically excludes TennCare and CoverKids programs from the study. TACIR must report its findings, including data on insurers with denial rates 10% above the average, to legislative committees by January 15, 2026. The bill does not change insurance rules but requires a data-driven review of current practices affecting policyholders and healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryHB 41 would require Tennessee public school districts and charter schools to adopt policies mandating that students keep wireless communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops) turned off and stored during class time. Exceptions include using devices for educational purposes with teacher permission, for health monitoring as prescribed by a healthcare provider, or if device use is part of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan. The policy must also establish a process for schools to contact parents during emergencies. This bill would apply to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond if enacted.

Maddy summaryHJR 34 is a symbolic resolution designating March 2025 as "Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month" in Tennessee. It recognizes the impact of conditions like hemophilia and von Willebrand disease on residents, highlighting challenges such as joint damage and historical blood product risks. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or programs - it solely serves to raise public awareness about these conditions. It directly affects Tennesseans living with bleeding disorders by promoting community understanding, though it imposes no obligations on government or healthcare providers. The resolution was formally enacted after signing by the Governor on February 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 209 requires the Tennessee Department of Revenue and the Department of Safety to publicly inform drivers about an existing option to voluntarily indicate on their vehicle registration or driver's license that they have an intellectual or developmental disability or medical condition affecting communication. This applies specifically to drivers who need assistance with expressive language or communicating needs due to such conditions. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law to authorize these agencies to take reasonable steps - like website updates or brochures - to publicize the availability of this designation. It does not create a new requirement but ensures drivers are aware of the current option to signal communication needs to officials.

Maddy summaryHB 211 changes the deadline for the Tennessee Department of Transportation to submit its annual report on projects funded by the transportation modernization fund from January 1 to January 15 each year. The bill amends Section 54-2-202(a) of the Tennessee Code to implement this new reporting timeline. This adjustment directly affects the Department of Transportation's annual schedule for submitting the report. The bill does not alter the content or requirements of the report, only the submission date.

Maddy summaryHB 74 would have imposed mandatory penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products (like CBD) to anyone under 21. Specifically, it would require a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and a $500 fine for sellers convicted of this offense. The bill aimed to amend Tennessee law to cover these sales under existing criminal statutes. However, the bill was introduced on January 14, 2025, but withdrawn the next day and not advanced further. It is no longer active legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 1607 amends the Tennessee Code Annotated to update reporting requirements for transportation infrastructure projects. The bill requires state officials to include "any change orders" when submitting reports related to highway, road, and bridge work. This procedural change ensures that modifications to project costs and scope are explicitly documented alongside other financial details. The legislation directly affects state departments responsible for managing public transportation construction and maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Tennessee state laws to include "Class IV Olympic river areas" within the official state scenic rivers system, specifically focusing on the Ocoee River. It authorizes the state to pay the Tennessee Valley Authority for additional water releases needed to maintain the river's high-flow conditions suitable for whitewater recreation. By enacting these changes, the legislation ensures the Ocoee River remains protected and accessible for its designated recreational use while clarifying its status under state environmental statutes.