Rep. Renea Jones

Maddy summaryHB 2150 removes the requirement that livestock must have hooves from Tennessee's Livestock Dealer Act. This change includes non-traditional animals like reptiles or birds under the legal definition of livestock. The bill directly affects livestock dealers and regulators by expanding the law's scope to cover these animals under the same regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryHJR 710 is a memorial resolution introduced by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor the late James W. "Jim" Ayers, a Parsons, Tennessee native and founder of FirstBank. The resolution commemorates Ayers' career in banking, his establishment of The Ayers Foundation (which supported over 30,000 rural Tennessee students through education initiatives), and his philanthropy across Tennessee's educational institutions and healthcare facilities. It formally expresses the Assembly's condolences to his family while recognizing his legacy of community service and leadership.

Maddy summaryHJR 749 is a non-binding resolution recognizing Tennessee's youth substance abuse crisis, citing data from the 2022-2023 Tennessee Together Student Survey showing high rates of vaping (29.8% of students), underage alcohol use (33% of students), and prescription drug misuse. It recommends implementing a long-term, evidence-based prevention program in school curricula - from kindergarten through graduation - to teach life skills, mental health support, and healthy decision-making. The resolution does not create new laws but urges the Tennessee Department of Education to adopt this approach, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness (saving $4.60-$18.00 for every $1 spent). Introduced in January 2026, it was withdrawn in February 2026 without further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 717 creates the "Caring for Caregivers Act," establishing a pilot program that provides financial grants to family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. It directly affects caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible family members living in private homes (not facilities) and incur eligible expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, or respite care. The program offers up to $6,000 annually per caregiver, with eligibility based on household income not exceeding $37,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) and requiring the care recipient to need assistance with at least two activities of daily living. The pilot runs from July 2025 through December 2028, funded through initial appropriations and dedicated state funds.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HJR 660) is a ceremonial memorial honoring James W. "Jim" Ayers, a prominent Tennessee banker and philanthropist from Parsons. It commends his life and legacy, highlighting his founding of FirstBank, leadership of The Ayers Foundation (supporting over 20,000 rural students), and contributions to Tennessee's education and healthcare institutions. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family and formally recognizes his impact on the state. As a memorial resolution, it has no binding policy effect but serves to commemorate his contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 589 renames Tennessee's existing "Agricultural Hall of Fame" to the "Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame," expanding its scope to honor achievements in both agriculture and forestry. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 43-1-604(b) to adjust a term from "five (5) years" to "six (6) years" for the hall's operations. The bill directly affects the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which administers the hall, and individuals or entities eligible for recognition under the program. This is a procedural update to the hall's name and operational timeline, with no new funding or substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 660 allows municipal energy authorities to take over water and wastewater systems while assuming the previous regulatory rules and oversight that applied to those systems before the transfer. It specifically authorizes these authorities to adopt all or part of the prior rules, responsibilities, and oversight from the original municipal system, as long as they don’t conflict with existing local government rules. The bill updates Tennessee state law (affecting Titles 5, 6, 7, and 68) to clarify that authorities can later amend these adopted rules. This directly impacts municipal energy authorities managing water systems and the communities they serve, ensuring continuity in water service regulation during system transfers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HJR 546) is a ceremonial honor recognizing Alvin Murphy, a Unicoi County resident and orthopedic physician assistant, for his volunteer work coordinating emergency services after Hurricane Helene. It specifically acknowledges his efforts at Southside Baptist Church, where he took time off work to organize supplies and recovery efforts, enabling neighbors to rebuild. The resolution, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor, does not create new policy or affect any laws - it solely serves to publicly congratulate Murphy for receiving the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the 65th annual Southeastern Autorama car show in Erwin, Tennessee, scheduled for October 11, 2025. It commends the event organizers, participants, and attendees for maintaining a 65-year tradition of showcasing classic and modern vehicles while supporting community initiatives like scholarships and hurricane relief. The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of the car show's cultural and charitable contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 499 amends Tennessee law to change the process for registered agents resigning their positions. Instead of submitting a copy of their original resignation statement to the Secretary of State, agents must now certify they mailed written notice of their resignation to the business they represented. This affects registered agents and the businesses employing them, as it updates administrative requirements across multiple code sections (including those governing business filings). The key change replaces a document copy requirement with a certification of mailed notice, ensuring businesses receive direct communication about agent resignations. The law became effective March 28, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.