Rep. William Slater

Maddy summaryHB 957 would require eligible Tennessee state employees to receive six workweeks of paid leave when they become foster parents to a minor child. This applies to full-time state employees who have worked continuously for at least 12 months with qualifying state entities (such as agencies or boards). The leave ends when the foster placement concludes, and employees cannot exceed six workweeks of paid leave for foster placements within any 12-month period. The bill expands existing state employee leave policies to include foster parenting, aligning with definitions in Tennessee law.

Maddy summaryHJR 1001 is a symbolic resolution designating March 21 as "World Down Syndrome Day" for annual commemoration in Tennessee. It does not create new laws, programs, or funding but serves as a formal state recognition to honor individuals with Down syndrome and promote awareness. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Tennessee House of Representatives (92-0) and is now pending in the Senate. It directly affects the state government by directing the legislature to join citizens in observing this day each year, aligning with international observance of the date.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 17, 2026, as "Profound Autism Day" in Tennessee to symbolically recognize individuals with profound autism - those requiring 24/7 care, often with severe intellectual disability or minimal communication skills. It highlights CDC data showing 26.7% of autistic children (1 in 4) have profound autism, emphasizing their exclusion from support programs and higher prevalence among girls, racial minorities, and low-income families. The resolution is purely commemorative with no policy changes, urging the state to join the Profound Autism Alliance in acknowledging this community.

Maddy summaryHB 1555 removes the $10 cap on court costs for drivers convicted of using wireless devices while operating a vehicle in Tennessee. It directly affects drivers who violate the existing ban on handheld device use while driving, requiring them to pay higher court costs and new state/local litigation taxes. The bill amends Tennessee law (TCA Section 55-8-199) to replace the previous cost limit with a provision for "court costs and state and local litigation taxes" for these violations. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, applying to violations occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 349 deletes an outdated requirement in state law that previously mandated the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee to conduct a study on statewide energy policy feasibility by December 15, 2014, and submit its findings to the state energy task force. The bill removes Section 49-9-1410 of Tennessee Code Annotated, which contained this obsolete provision. This change affects the university center by eliminating a long-since-expired administrative duty with no current obligations. The bill is purely procedural, making no new policy changes or affecting any other entities or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1758 (Tennessee) amends school bus driver medical requirements by allowing drivers to choose between an annual physical/mental exam or annually verifying they hold a valid Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) medical certificate proving they are medically qualified to operate commercial vehicles. This directly affects school bus drivers and local school boards in Tennessee, which must now accept either the traditional exam or the FMCSA certificate as proof of medical fitness. The key provision replaces the current mandatory annual physical exam requirement with an alternative verification method using existing federal medical certification. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 and Title 55, to align with this change in verification process.

Maddy summaryHB 75 allows Tennessee students to use scores from the Classic Learning Test (CLT) instead of or alongside the ACT or SAT to qualify for state lottery-funded scholarships and college admissions. It directly affects Tennessee students seeking financial aid for higher education, public colleges and universities, and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. The bill amends multiple sections of state law to replace "ACT or SAT" with "ACT, SAT, or CLT" for scholarship eligibility requirements and college admissions standards. It also requires the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation to provide students with CLT testing dates when sharing scholarship information. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1492 designates October 1 of each year as "APDS Day" in Tennessee to raise awareness about activated PI3K delta syndrome (APDS), a rare genetic immunodeficiency affecting approximately 1-2 people per million. The bill does not create new programs or alter existing laws but establishes an annual observance to highlight this condition, which causes frequent infections, developmental delays, and other health challenges. It specifically aims to support Tennesseans diagnosed with APDS and their families by promoting recognition of the disease. This is a commemorative resolution, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHJR 964 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. Jon Forlines, Welch College's Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students, upon his retirement after 24 years of service. It recognizes his career in higher education, including his work as a psychological examiner in Tennessee's prison system and his role at Welch College. The resolution does not create any legal obligations or policy changes; it is a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Tennessee General Assembly. This procedural resolution was passed by both chambers and transmitted to the governor for formal acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryHB 1494 creates a tax credit allowing Tennessee businesses to claim 50% of donations (up to $5,000 annually) to charities approved by the governor’s office of faith-based and community initiatives. To qualify, charities must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Tennessee residents, with at least 25% of beneficiaries in designated rural counties. Businesses must apply annually for the credit, and approved charities must reapply yearly but cannot be approved for more than three consecutive years. The credit applies to tax years 2027-2031 and requires charities to demonstrate how donations support community values.