Rep. Cameron Sexton

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 1043 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor comedian Nate Bargatze, a native of Old Hickory, Tennessee, for his career achievements in comedy, entertainment, and writing. The resolution recognizes his record-breaking Netflix specials (including the most-streamed Amazon Prime comedy special in 2023), his New York Times No. 1 bestselling book *Big Dumb Eyes*, and his role as host of the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards. It does not create legal obligations or policy changes, but formally commends Bargatze as "a Tennessee kid who made good" and highlights his success as a top-grossing comedian and family-friendly entertainer. This resolution serves solely as a ceremonial recognition without affecting any laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHJR 862 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Natalie Leach Haslam, a Knoxville resident and longtime community leader who passed away. It recognizes her lifetime of service, including her leadership at the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, generous support of the University of Tennessee (where a music college was named in her honor), and contributions to numerous cultural and civic organizations. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to her family and commemorates her legacy of "integrity, compassion, and dedication to service." This is a symbolic gesture with no legal effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHJR 728 is a memorial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Roy Foster Kramer, a former SEC Commissioner and college football coach who passed away. The resolution recognizes his decades-long career in athletics - including his roles as head coach at Central Michigan University, Athletic Director at Vanderbilt, and SEC Commissioner - and his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. It expresses condolences to his family and commemorates his contributions to sports and community service. As a symbolic tribute, the resolution does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2508 changes the deadline for clerks and masters in Tennessee to notify mineral interest owners. It extends the timeframe from 10 calendar days to 10 business days after receiving a complaint about abandoned mineral interests. This notice, sent by certified mail, informs owners their interest may expire if not claimed within 60 days of a required newspaper publication. The bill directly affects mineral interest owners in counties where such claims are filed, providing a more practical timeline for official communications.

Maddy summaryHB 1437 amends Crossville's city charter to set the mayor's salary at 15% of the Cumberland County Mayor's salary and each council member's salary at 5% of the county mayor's salary, with any future increases requiring approval through an election. It establishes a new regular meeting schedule requiring city council meetings at 6:00 PM on the second Tuesday of each month and mandates that special meetings only address pre-announced business with agendas posted online. The bill also increases Crossville's maximum occupancy tax rate from 2% to 3%, directly affecting the city's revenue generation and budgeting. These changes apply specifically to Crossville's local government operations and fiscal policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1092 amends Tennessee law to move the deadline for state agencies to submit applications for federal financial assistance from February 1 to March 1 each year. This change directly affects Tennessee state agencies that apply for federal funds, giving them an additional month to prepare and submit their requests. The bill updates two sections of the Tennessee Code (9-4-5404 and 9-4-5406) to reflect this new deadline. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on May 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1089 requires courts to order mental health evaluations for defendants convicted of specific abuse-related crimes - including domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, or cruelty to animals - before sentencing. The law directs Tennessee's Department of Mental Health to create a process where community mental health centers or qualified professionals conduct these evaluations. It directly affects defendants in these cases and the state's mental health evaluation system, adding a pre-sentencing step to assess potential mental health factors. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-14-202 and related titles to implement this requirement, effective May 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1097 creates a process for Tennessee's Attorney General to review local government actions (like ordinances or written policies) that may violate state law or the Tennessee Constitution. If a legislator requests an investigation, the Attorney General must investigate within 30 days and report findings. If a violation is confirmed, the local government has 30 days to fix it or face potential withholding of state funds (except for contracts, federal requirements, or court judgments). This bill directly affects counties and cities by establishing a state-level mechanism to enforce compliance with state law against local actions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1093 amends Tennessee law to strengthen firearm regulations. It expands the definition of "machine gun" to include parts designed solely to convert a firearm into a machine gun, and increases penalties for possessing, making, or selling such devices from a Class E to a Class C felony. The bill also changes penalties for other gun-related offenses and makes defendants ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm used from within a vehicle. These changes apply to Tennessee residents and anyone violating these provisions within the state. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1090 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to study the challenges of building and operating reentry facilities for eligible inmates transitioning back into the community. The bill mandates that the department submit an annual report by February 1st detailing its findings. This law directly affects the Department of Correction, which must now conduct this study and report its results each year, without creating new facilities or changing inmate eligibility.