Rep. Rick Scarbrough

Maddy summaryHB 1959, the "FAIR Rx Act," prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning, controlling, or having any financial interest in pharmacies after January 1, 2027. It directly affects PBMs and pharmacies by banning arrangements like management contracts, revenue-sharing, or exclusive agreements that transfer operational control to PBMs. The bill requires pharmacies to disclose owners with 5%+ stakes and restricts limited-use pharmacy licenses from being sold to PBMs. These provisions aim to prevent conflicts of interest that could limit patient choice, increase costs, or undermine pharmacist independence in medication care.

Maddy summaryHB 1906 requires that state police officers and agents of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation receive retirement credit for time off due to disability at no cost to them if they apply for it on or after July 1, 2026. It also allows cities and counties to pass resolutions enabling their police officers to earn similar disability retirement credit without cost, either by adopting the provision for the first time or adjusting existing arrangements. The bill mandates that employers document the disability period and pre-disability salary, with retirement credit calculated based on that salary. This law takes effect on July 1, 2026, impacting state and local law enforcement officers covered by the new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1707 requires local governments in Tennessee to comply with court orders declaring their sanctuary policies unlawful within 120 days. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code (Titles 4, 7, 8, 16, 17, and 38) to establish this 120-day deadline for adjusting policies. It directly affects cities and counties that have implemented sanctuary policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The key provision sets a clear, fixed timeline for local entities to align with court rulings on such policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to submit its annual report on narcotics investigations to specific legislative committees by February 15 each year, instead of the previous unspecified annual deadline. The bill amends Tennessee law (specifically Titles 8, 10, 16, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 55) to update the submission date and clarify which committees receive the report (the House committee with jurisdiction over criminal justice and the Senate Judiciary Committee). This change directly affects the TBI's narcotics division and the legislative committees responsible for oversight. The bill modifies reporting procedures without altering the content or scope of the investigations themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 920 amends Tennessee law to extend the deadline for counties to submit annual reports on judicial commissioners in criminal courts. Specifically, it changes the required submission date from April 1 to April 15 each year. This procedural change directly affects all Tennessee county legislative bodies that must prepare and submit these reports to criminal court judges and relevant legislative committees. The bill makes no substantive policy changes, only adjusting the reporting timeline.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Joint Resolution honors Juanita Webb Smith on the occasion of her 100th birthday. The measure formally recognizes her life achievements, including her long marriage, career, and community contributions. It directs the state to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to her, with the official seal but without legislative signatures. The bill does not create new laws or alter policy; it serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of a centenarian citizen.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors Arnold Justice Wallace on the occasion of his 100th birthday. It formally recognizes his life achievements, including his service in World War II and his long career at the X-10 facility in Oak Ridge. The document serves as a ceremonial tribute and does not create new laws or change any policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2404 amends Tennessee's medical cannabis commission appointment rules. It requires the Senate Speaker to appoint one commission member as a substance abuse prevention specialist, selected from a list of three names submitted by the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee, effective July 1, 2025. This change ensures the commission includes expertise in substance abuse prevention. The bill directly affects the medical cannabis commission and the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee, which provides the candidate list. (Bill: HB 2404; Effective: July 1, 2025)

Maddy summaryHB 1870 requires specific fire investigators in Tennessee to hold a current certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) before they can exercise police powers - such as making arrests - in arson or suspected arson cases. This applies directly to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance and their deputies, municipal fire investigators, and salaried county fire investigators when using police authority. The bill does not require certification for routine fire origin investigations conducted without police powers. Certification must be obtained by January 1, 2027, and includes meeting police officer qualifications and completing approved training. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 68-102-127 and 38-8-107.

Maddy summaryHB 2407 allows Tennessee local governments with at least $20 million in annual revenue to choose any construction project delivery method (like design-build or construction manager at-risk) for projects costing over $5 million, instead of being restricted to traditional methods. It requires these governments to select contractors through a competitive proposal process and confirms their existing rules permit this approach. The bill directly affects counties, cities, school districts, and other qualifying local entities when planning major construction projects. This change aims to give local governments flexibility in how they manage large-scale building projects while maintaining competitive selection standards.