Rep. Charlie Baum

Maddy summaryHB 714 requires Tennessee's commissioner of revenue to create a new sales tax remittance schedule that allows dealers (businesses collecting sales tax) to hold collected tax payments longer. This extended holding period lets dealers offset card processing fees they pay on transactions - including the sales tax portion - before remitting funds to the state. The schedule's length is calculated using specific factors: last year's total sales tax remittance, the percentage of card transactions, state fees for card payments, and the federal funds rate. The bill does not change current tax collection methods but adjusts the remittance timeline to help dealers recoup fees. It applies directly to Tennessee businesses selling tangible goods and collecting sales tax.

Maddy summaryHB 692 requires the Tennessee Department of Education to publish its "Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement" (TISA) funding formula guide on the department's website. This procedural bill directly affects the Department of Education by mandating the public availability of the guide that explains how state education funds are distributed to schools. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to add this website publication requirement without changing funding levels or eligibility. It has no direct impact on schools or students but ensures transparency in how education funds are allocated.

Maddy summaryHB 694 extends the timeframe for Tennessee taxpayers to request a formal hearing after a tax-related decision by the Department of Revenue. It changes the deadline from 10 to 12 days for challenging actions like license revocations, application denials, or other adverse tax decisions under Title 67. This procedural change directly affects individuals or businesses facing revenue-related disputes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-1-105(a)(1) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 332 creates a "Government Service Delivery Coordinator" within Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration to improve how state agencies interact with residents and businesses. It requires each agency to appoint an official responsible for enhancing service delivery - focusing on accessibility, efficiency, and customer feedback - while establishing statewide standards for evaluating services like wait times and digital access. Agencies must submit implementation plans within a year and report data to the governor and legislature annually. The bill directly affects all state agencies and the public they serve, mandating concrete changes to service delivery processes without altering program benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 19, introduced as the "Tennessee State Healthcare Cost Savings Incentive Program," creates a system where state healthcare plan enrollees (state employees and their families covered under state health plans) can earn incentives for choosing lower-cost, high-quality healthcare services. The bill requires a third-party vendor to develop an online platform showing cost and quality data for providers, allowing enrollees to shop for care. If enrollees select cost-effective options, they receive shared savings - either as cash or a credit to their health account - paid from the savings generated by their choices. The program mandates annual reports tracking participation and state savings, with implementation required by 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 17, the "Tennessee Retirement Savings Plan Act," would create a state-run retirement savings program for Tennessee workers. It establishes a Tennessee Retirement Savings Board to develop a voluntary defined contribution plan, allowing residents employed in Tennessee to save for retirement through payroll deductions. The board, appointed by the governor and legislature, would set investment rules, manage fees, and administer the plan through the state treasury. This plan would directly affect employed Tennessee residents who choose to participate, offering a new retirement savings option alongside existing employer-sponsored plans.

Maddy summaryHB 42 changes the annual reporting deadline for Tennessee's Department of Education regarding the school safety alert grant pilot fund, moving it from July 1 to August 1 each year starting in 2025. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Section 49-1-225(f), to update this reporting date without altering the fund's purpose or required report content. This adjustment directly affects the Department of Education (which must submit reports by the new date) and the General Assembly (which receives the reports one month later). The change provides the Department with additional time to prepare the annual report while maintaining the same reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 163 (introduced by Rep. Baum) amends Tennessee law to extend the timeframe from 30 to 45 days for cities to stop enforcing traffic ordinances on state university and community college campuses after the institution requests it. This change directly affects municipal corporations (cities/towns) and state institutions of higher education, requiring cities to cease traffic rule enforcement within 45 days of a formal request from the university or college system. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Section 49-7-105(c), to provide institutions more time to transition traffic management on campus property. It is a procedural bill focused solely on adjusting the compliance timeline, with no additional policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that schools in Tennessee generally should not teach topics related to sexual activity to students in grades K-5 as part of their family life curriculum. However, it explicitly allows educators to teach children in these grades how to recognize, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse and human trafficking. The legislation amends state education code to ensure these specific safety topics remain available despite the broader restriction on sexual activity instruction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services to submit an annual report on veterans treatment court program grant funds. The report, due by February 1 each year, must be sent to specific legislative committees and include details such as the amount of new grants, the names of receiving counties, and the total value of outstanding grants. These changes affect the state's oversight of funding for veterans treatment courts by ensuring regular updates on how grant money is distributed and utilized. The law amends several sections of the Tennessee Code to establish this reporting requirement.