Rep. Ed Butler

Maddy summaryHB 393 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to pay $85 monthly from existing budget funds to correctional officers (active or retired) who take custody of retired service dogs. The payment covers the dog's medical care only, with officers required to submit annual medical records by June 1 and report the dog's death within 30 days. The bill applies specifically to canines retired due to age, injury, or other reasons, and the payments end upon the dog's death. This policy change provides direct financial support for retired service dogs' healthcare without altering officer salaries or benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 386 changes Tennessee law to allow mothers to voluntarily surrender newborns at designated facilities without facing criminal charges for up to 45 days after birth, instead of the previous 14-day limit. This directly affects mothers who choose to surrender their infants and the facilities that accept these surrenders under the state's safe haven laws. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee Code (Titles 36 and 68) to update the age window for this process. The change aims to provide more time for mothers to make this decision while ensuring infants are placed in safe care.

Maddy summaryHB 1440 amends Tennessee law to change how Morgan County selects its County Attorney. Instead of being elected by voters, the County Attorney must now be appointed or hired by the Morgan County Commission for a four-year term, with no requirement for the appointee to be a Morgan County resident. The bill also specifies that this change requires approval by a two-thirds vote of Morgan County's legislative body before taking effect. The current County Attorney and any appointed officials serving under existing terms are unaffected by this change.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 646 designates May 13-24, 2025, as "Run for the Wall Week" in Tennessee. The resolution commemorates the annual Run for the Wall motorcycle event, which raises awareness about prisoners of war and missing in action personnel while honoring veterans. It specifically acknowledges the event's planned route through Tennessee, including stops in Cookeville (May 18-20) and Chattanooga (May 20-21), as part of its journey to Washington, D.C., and the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois. This ceremonial resolution has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 674 is a commemorative resolution passed by Tennessee's legislature to honor the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War (May 7, 2025). It recognizes the service of over 2.5 million Americans who served in the conflict and expresses gratitude to the 6.6 million living Vietnam War veterans for their sacrifices. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to veterans' contributions to national security and freedom. It was signed into law by Governor on May 2, 2025, following approval by both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 392 requires Tennessee schools to include student performance data for specific groups in their letter grades if those groups meet minimum thresholds: at least 20 valid math or English language arts test scores in one grade band, or 20 students in a graduating cohort for college/career readiness data. This applies to schools serving grades 9-12 with qualifying student groups, ensuring the Department of Education cannot exclude such data from school ratings. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 to standardize how school performance is measured. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1147 requires the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation to submit an annual report to legislative committees overseeing higher education. The report must detail, for each of the five prior academic years, the scholarship program's appropriations, total applications received, number of recipients, and average award amount. The corporation must submit this report by July 31 each year, starting in 2025. This bill amends state law to establish a specific reporting requirement for scholarship data, without changing scholarship eligibility or funding levels.

Maddy summaryHB 382 allows Tennessee public schools to replace the DARE drug prevention program with the Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (L.E.A.D.) program. Local school districts can now choose L.E.A.D. as their primary anti-drug education program instead of DARE, as the bill updates state law to include L.E.A.D. as an authorized alternative. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (including Title 49, Chapter 1) to replace references to "DARE" with "DARE or L.E.A.D." throughout program requirements and funding provisions. This change took effect March 28, 2025, making L.E.A.D. a formal option for school districts seeking to implement law enforcement-supported drug prevention education.

Maddy summaryHB 478 clarifies that a person does not commit a crime if they carry a firearm into an area where firearms are prohibited (e.g., posted private property) and either immediately leaves upon request by the property owner or stores the firearm in their vehicle as required by state law (TCA § 39-17-1313). The bill directly affects individuals carrying firearms on private property where guns are banned, such as businesses or events with posted restrictions. It modifies existing law (TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13) to explicitly exempt compliant behavior from criminal liability. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing firearm possession laws or create new restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1149 prohibits activities like fishing or swimming near public boat launches, docks, or marinas that hinder access for other users during normal boating operations or cause property damage. It directly affects recreational boaters, anglers, and swimmers using public water access facilities by banning interference with their intended use. The bill amends Tennessee’s boating laws (Titles 67, 68, 69, and 70) to enforce these restrictions, with penalties outlined in existing statutes, effective July 1, 2025.