Rep. Monty Fritts

Maddy summaryHB 1852, the "Tennessee mRNA Pharmaceutical Sovereignty and Safety Act," would prohibit healthcare and veterinary providers from administering any vaccine or injectable solution containing mRNA technology. If enacted, it would directly affect medical professionals, clinics, and veterinary practices across Tennessee by banning the use of all mRNA-based vaccines and treatments. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code titles to implement this prohibition, targeting mRNA-containing products specifically. It does not address other vaccine types or non-injectable treatments. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 934 amends Tennessee's voting laws to require voters to present a photo ID showing their current residential address at polling places. It specifies that acceptable IDs must include the voter's name, photo, address, citizenship proof, and expiration date, while banning student IDs from institutions of higher education. The bill also clarifies that address verification can use documents like utility bills or lease agreements (excluding digital sources) and updates procedures for provisional ballots. This directly affects all voters casting ballots in person under Tennessee's current election rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2025 requires all Tennessee public universities to create a "Charlie Kirk Memorial Courtyard for Civil Debate" on each main campus by December 2026. The courtyard must be at least 40x40 feet (1,600 sq. ft.) and display Tennessee’s Constitution Article I, the Ten Commandments, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence on its four sides in specified sizes and fonts. This directly affects the governing boards of all 13 public institutions of higher education in Tennessee. The bill mandates physical installation of these documents to promote "civil discourse," with campuses permitted to accept donations for the project.

Maddy summaryHB 1716 changes how Tennessee taxes residential property by setting the tax value at the higher of the most recent sale price or a financial institution's appraisal during refinancing (effective after December 2020). It also protects homeowners who have lived in their primary residence as a U.S. citizen for 10+ years by prohibiting tax sales to satisfy property tax debt, requiring proof of residency and citizenship. Once eligibility is confirmed, interest stops accruing on the debt, which becomes due only upon property transfer. This applies to homes used as primary residences, directly affecting long-term residential property owners. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 26-2-301 and 67-5-2501.

Maddy summaryHB 1782 amends Tennessee's vehicle registration fee law to apply a $100 annual fee exclusively to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), removing regular hybrid electric vehicles from this requirement. This change affects PHEV owners who will pay the additional fee starting January 1, 2027, while owners of standard hybrids will not. The bill revises TCA Section 55-4-116 by deleting "hybrid electric vehicles" from the fee eligibility list and specifying the $100 fee applies only to PHEVs during 2027. The policy directly modifies registration costs for a specific vehicle type without altering other fee structures.

Maddy summaryHB 873 restricts civil lawsuits against sellers and manufacturers of certain weapons-related products by removing negligence per se claims and requiring actual physical injury for negligent entrustment cases. It expands the definition of "qualified products" to include knives, body armor, pepper spray, silencers, and other defensive weapons, making these products subject to the new liability limits. The bill clarifies that only individuals who will be physically present in a local area or are adversely affected by future ordinances can file certain lawsuits, and it explicitly states Tennessee's public policy against holding sellers liable for third-party misuse of these products. These changes primarily affect arms dealers, manufacturers, and sellers of the expanded product list, limiting their legal exposure in civil cases.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Congress to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include veterans who received certain COVID-19 treatments (administered under Emergency Use Authorization before full FDA approval) and anthrax vaccinations as qualifying exposures under the PACT Act. It directly affects veterans exposed to these treatments during service, potentially expanding their access to VA healthcare and benefits previously reserved for those with toxic exposures like burn pits. The resolution also calls for Congress to investigate the military's administration of these substances, including whether they were given without proper consent or approval. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change VA policy but advocates for legislative action to address veterans' health concerns.

Maddy summaryHJR 51 designates July 1-31, 2025, as a period of prayer and fasting in Tennessee, inviting all residents to participate in spiritual reflection. The resolution frames this as a communal practice to seek divine guidance on societal challenges like crime, family stability, and national security, referencing Judeo-Christian values. It is a non-binding symbolic gesture with no legal effect or new requirements for citizens or government. The resolution was formally adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor in May 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJR 332) is a commemorative resolution honoring retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Phyllis Ann Fitzgerald for her 21-year military service and subsequent civilian work supporting veterans. It specifically recognizes her roles as an intelligence analyst (including during Desert Shield/Desert Storm), her leadership as executive director of the Society of the First Infantry Division, and her community service in Kansas. The resolution formally commends her contributions during Women's History Month, highlighting her as a model of dedication and service. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1112 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally inject, release, or disperse chemicals into Tennessee's atmosphere with the purpose of altering weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It also criminalizes supplying materials for such activities. The law directly affects individuals or entities conducting weather modification within Tennessee, imposing a $100,000 fine per violation in addition to misdemeanor penalties. Enforcement will be handled by state agencies and prosecutors investigating credible reports of violations. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing weather modification and criminal penalties, effective July 1, 2025.