Rep. Renea Jones

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 68) is a ceremonial honor recognizing Jerry Lee Byrd of Unicoi, Tennessee, for being named the 2024 Master Logger of the Year by the Tennessee Forestry Association. It directly affects Jerry Byrd personally, acknowledging his 20+ years operating Jerry Lee Byrd Logging, LLC as a fifth-generation logger and community contributor. The resolution contains no new laws or funding provisions - it simply expresses the Tennessee House of Representatives' formal congratulations and best wishes. The resolution was unanimously adopted (91-0) on April 3, 2025, with no binding requirements or implementation mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 185 amends Tennessee law (TCA Title 6, Chapter 56, Part 4) to allow municipalities contracting with a certified municipal finance officer (CMFO) to seek written approval from the state comptroller of the treasury for that officer to work fewer than 16 hours per month on financial oversight duties. This directly affects municipalities that hire external CMFOs, providing flexibility in staffing requirements. The key provision requires annual written approval from the comptroller, valid for one year, which municipalities must renew each year. The change modifies the existing requirement that contracted CMFOs must devote a minimum of 16 hours monthly to oversight duties.

Maddy summaryHJR 243 is a memorial resolution honoring Johnny Wayne Peterson of Erwin, Tennessee, who died following Hurricane Helene. The resolution commemorates his 35-year career at Impact Plastics, his community service, family devotion, and heroic actions during the Nolichucky River flooding. It expresses the legislature's condolences to his family and recognizes his legacy of integrity and dedication. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 670 would reduce the buffer zone for development near Class II and Class III scenic rivers in Tennessee from 450 feet to 400 feet from the river banks. This change would directly affect property owners and developers in these areas by narrowing the area where construction or other development is restricted. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Section 11-13-108(a)(2), to update the distance limit for scenic river protections. The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, but was withdrawn the following day.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 3) formally recognizes and congratulates the 2025 Tennessee FFA State Officers for their service and achievements. It specifically honors the six officers - T. Wayne Williams (president), Skylar Baird (Middle TN VP), Sarah Ault (West TN VP), Emily Whitehead (East TN VP), Shelbi Wallace (secretary), Eli Julian (treasurer), Paige Pardue (reporter), and Lexi Rush (sentinel) - for their work supporting agricultural education. The resolution highlights their accomplishments, including visiting 82 FFA chapters, hosting 147 workshops, impacting 7,673 students, and traveling over 41,000 miles. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact and solely serves to commend these students.

Maddy summaryHB 429 makes it illegal to impersonate a ride-hailing driver (like Uber or Lyft) or falsely claim to be responding to a passenger request. If committed during another felony (e.g., robbery), it becomes a Class E felony; otherwise, it’s a Class C misdemeanor. The bill targets individuals pretending to be part of transportation network companies, aiming to protect passengers and companies from fraud. The bill was introduced in 2025 but withdrawn before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 168 (Tennessee) directs the Department of Agriculture to study the effects of selling and distributing smokeless nicotine products (like snus) and other alternative nicotine products to people under 21. It urges the department to make recommendations to the legislature about reducing such sales, amending multiple sections of Tennessee law to include these products under the study scope. The bill does not ban products but requests a review to inform future policy.