Rep. William Lamberth

Maddy summaryHJR 882 is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Dr. Tyler Forrest to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees. The resolution formally approves Dr. Forrest's appointment to represent East Tennessee for a term ending October 31, 2026, as required by Tennessee law (TCA § 11-7-104(b)(2)). This action does not change any policy or create new obligations; it merely confirms an existing appointment to a board that oversees conservation funding. The resolution directly affects the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board by adding Dr. Forrest as a member.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Pete Claussen to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees. It directly affects the board by adding Claussen as a member representing East Tennessee for a term ending October 31, 2029, as required by Tennessee law (TCA § 11-7-104(b)(2)). The resolution does not create new policies or change existing laws - it solely fulfills the statutory requirement for legislative confirmation of the governor's appointment.

Maddy summaryHJR 878 is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Joshua R. Walker to serve as the Eastern Grand Division Commissioner on the Tennessee Claims Commission for an eight-year term (expiring June 30, 2033). This resolution satisfies the statutory requirement (TCA § 9-8-302(a)) that the General Assembly confirm the governor's appointment of Claims Commission members. The bill does not alter laws or create new policies - it solely approves Walker's existing appointment to a position handling state claims against the government. The resolution was introduced to formally complete the confirmation process for Walker, who previously defended the state before the Commission during his tenure at the University of Tennessee System.

Maddy summaryHB 1501 would allow Tennessee municipalities to require real estate investment trusts (REITs) owning 10 or more rental units within city limits to register with local building code enforcement agencies. REITs would need to provide their contact information and the full addresses of all properties they manage, with updates required within 30 days of any changes. Municipalities could impose a $50 weekly fine for non-compliance, but must provide a hearing opportunity before levying penalties. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not authorize fees for REITs to file required information.

Maddy summaryHJR 919 is a procedural resolution that schedules a legislative recess to observe Presidents' Day. It directs Tennessee's One Hundred Fourteenth General Assembly to recess on Thursday, February 12, 2026, and reconvene on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This bill only affects the legislative schedule and has no policy or law changes. It was formally approved by both chambers and the Governor on February 12, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2553 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to review and revise public school physical education standards by December 2027 to incorporate federal guidance from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. This would reestablish the "Presidential Fitness Test" for K-12 students, replacing current standards with a federally aligned assessment. The bill mandates that proposed revisions be posted online for public review before the State Board of Education adopts them. It directly affects all Tennessee public school students participating in physical education classes. The law is procedural, focusing on updating curriculum standards rather than creating new funding or mandates.

Maddy summaryHB 2561 allows Tennessee's State Energy Policy Council to submit its annual energy sector assessment and policy plan reports electronically to the governor, Senate Speaker, and House Speaker, instead of requiring physical copies. This procedural change updates existing reporting requirements under Tennessee law without altering energy policies or affecting citizens or businesses. The bill amends specific sections of the Tennessee Code related to energy council reporting procedures. It does not create new policy obligations or impact energy regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires Tennessee's Economic and Community Development Commissioner to study whether establishing a "Oak Ridge Energy Park" development corridor in Anderson and Roane counties is feasible. The bill directs the commissioner to complete this research and submit a report to the governor by December 31, 2026. This bill does not fund or create the park - it only mandates a feasibility study. The study would inform future decisions about the corridor, which would span parts of Anderson and Roane counties. The bill is procedural and does not make any immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2545 shortens the deadline for wardens in Tennessee penal institutions to report criminal offenses to district attorney generals, reducing the timeframe from five to four business days. This bill directly affects prison wardens who must submit these reports and district attorney generals who receive them. The change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-202(a)(1) by amending the required reporting period. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on adjusting this administrative timeline without altering legal definitions or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 2551 amends Tennessee building codes to clarify the state fire marshal's authority regarding safety standards for multi-family dwellings with two to six units. The bill explicitly prohibits the fire marshal from requiring automatic fire sprinkler systems in these buildings, while allowing local governments to adopt their own mandatory sprinkler requirements using the NFPA 13D standard. Key provisions include requiring separate exits for each dwelling, two-hour fire-resistant walls between units, and limiting structures to three stories. This directly affects local governments (cities/counties) that adopt building codes and developers constructing small multi-family housing projects, effective July 1, 2026.