Rep. Charlie Baum

Maddy summaryHJR 757 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Elizabeth Lorenza McPhee, a retired educator and longtime advocate for Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and her community. It formally recognizes her 40-year career in education, her role as MTSU's First Lady, and her volunteer work with organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Murfreesboro Domestic Violence Center. The resolution expresses the legislature's condolences to her family and commemorates her legacy of public service. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any group beyond this symbolic tribute.

Maddy summaryHB 691 changes how Tennessee financial institutions calculate tax credits for loans to housing entities. It shifts the calculation from a single "unpaid principal balance" to a "month-end average unpaid principal balance" over each loan's life. This affects financial institutions providing qualified loans for eligible housing activities, with credits now set at 3% annually for standard loans or 5% for low-rate loans. The change applies to the institution's fiscal year and ends after 15 years or the loan's maturity, whichever comes first. The bill took effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 495 sets maximum fees healthcare providers and third-party record release companies can charge when providing medical records to patients or other requesters. For paper copies, fees are capped at $25 for the first five pages, then 50 cents per page after that. For electronic copies, fees are limited to $5 for up to ten pages (25 cents per page after), with specific caps for radiology images and mailing costs. The bill requires providers to offer records electronically when available and prohibits third parties from exceeding these fee limits.

Maddy summaryHB 331 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 13-23-121 to increase the Tennessee Housing Development Agency's (THDA) maximum bond issuance limit from $4 billion to $6 billion. This change directly enables THDA to issue more bonds for financing affordable housing loans, primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income Tennessee residents seeking below-market interest rate mortgages. The bill's key provision adjusts the statutory cap to address growing demand for these housing programs, which THDA has managed within the previous limit since 2008. The increase took effect on May 2, 2025, after receiving legislative and gubernatorial approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1036 requires Tennessee's education department to evaluate innovative school districts after their first full year of operation and provide recommendations to legislative education committees. The bill mandates these evaluations to assess effectiveness and may include suggestions for expanding such districts based on future state educational needs. It amends specific Tennessee Code sections related to education governance (Title 49, Chapters 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 50). This law directly affects public universities operating innovative school districts and state education committees responsible for policy decisions. (Note: The bill title description mentioning "private meetings" appears incorrect; the actual text focuses on school district evaluations.)

Maddy summaryHB 695 increases the maximum mineral severance tax rate for sand, gravel, sandstone, chert, and limestone in Tennessee counties, phasing from 15¢ to 30¢ per ton over 10 years (starting July 2025). It requires a two-thirds vote by county legislative bodies to adjust rates and prohibits counties from using this tax revenue for anything other than road funds - specifically removing Smith County’s prior flexibility to allocate funds elsewhere. Counties must now report annually on how mineral tax revenue is spent for road construction and maintenance. The bill directly affects counties levying these taxes and changes how they manage and report mineral revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 424 requests the Tennessee Department of Revenue to study whether making franchise and excise tax credits transferable to entities other than the original recipient would affect the state's economy. If the study is conducted, the department must report its findings to tax committees by January 1, 2026. The bill does not change current tax law but asks for research before any potential policy shift. It applies directly to how tax credits are administered, without altering existing credit rules.

Maddy summaryHB 693 eliminates a requirement that could force insured patients to pay administrative fees for pharmacist-provided hormonal contraceptives when their pharmacy benefit already covers the cost. The bill directly affects insured patients using pharmacy benefits for hormonal contraceptives and pharmacists who dispense these medications. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to change language from "shall prohibit" to "must not prohibit" fees, ensuring patients cannot be charged extra for covered contraceptives. This change applies to all pharmacists authorized under Tennessee law who provide hormonal contraceptives to insured patients. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 494 creates the "Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act," allowing employers to contribute to portable benefit plans for self-employed workers (like gig economy contractors). These plans cover health, unemployment, disability, life insurance, and retirement benefits, administered by third-party providers chosen by the worker. Employers can contribute via written agreements that require worker opt-in, with the option to opt-out anytime, and contributions cannot affect how workers are classified as employees or independent contractors. The bill amends Tennessee employment laws to clarify that such contributions are a form of compensation, not a factor in worker classification decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 18 proposes a temporary health coverage program for Tennesseans who don't qualify for existing TennCare or CoverKids. It would provide up to 60 months of medical assistance (resetting at age 21) to individuals under 21 with income ≤138% of the federal poverty level, or adults ≥21 with similar income, subject to strict 12-month/24-month usage limits. The program requires a federal waiver by December 2025, uses 90% federal/10% state funding, and explicitly states it does not replace eligibility for regular programs (benefits pause if enrollment becomes possible). The bill failed in the Insurance Committee on March 5, 2025, and remains inactive.