Rep. William Lamberth

Maddy summaryHB 1318 extends Tennessee's Access Tennessee health insurance program, which provides coverage to low-income residents, by changing its expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. This amendment directly affects qualifying Tennessee residents who rely on the program for health coverage, ensuring continued access through 2030. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 56-7-2916 to reflect the new end date without altering program eligibility or benefits. It is a straightforward extension of an existing state program, not a new policy. The bill became law as Public Chapter 185 on April 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1315 modifies Tennessee's ignition interlock device laws to provide flexibility for drivers. It allows people with ignition interlock requirements to attend device calibration, monitoring, or inspection at any time within a 14-day window (7 days before or after their scheduled appointment) without penalty. The bill also creates a new provision for active-duty military members deployed outside Tennessee for over 30 days, enabling them to temporarily pause their ignition interlock period by submitting military orders. Courts can reinstate driver licenses if the only noncompliance was with device appointments and the driver has no other license restrictions. These changes apply to all drivers required to use ignition interlock devices under Tennessee law.

Maddy summaryThis procedural resolution sets the end date for Tennessee's 2025 legislative session (April 22, 2025) and the start date for the 2026 session (January 13, 2026). It directly affects the scheduling of the state legislature's work calendar but does not change any laws or policies. The bill was enacted with bipartisan approval in April 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1339 amends Tennessee law to allow non-business litigation financiers (such as individuals or sole proprietors) to amend or withdraw their registration with the Secretary of State. The bill requires these entities to submit a prescribed form and pay a $20 filing fee. This change simplifies the registration process for non-corporate litigation financiers, removing a previous requirement that applied only to business entities. The bill became effective upon enactment as Public Chapter 271.

Maddy summaryHB 1343 automates indigency determination for DUI offenders required to use ignition interlock devices. It directs the state treasurer to automatically deem individuals receiving SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits as indigent for device cost coverage, eliminating the need for courts to hold separate hearings to assess financial status. The bill revises Tennessee Code § 55-10-419 to streamline reimbursement from the electronic monitoring indigency fund, requiring providers to submit claims with court orders and proof of program eligibility. This directly affects low-income DUI offenders enrolled in federal/state assistance programs, ensuring they pay only $30 monthly toward device costs while the fund covers the remainder (up to $170). The policy change removes administrative hurdles for qualifying individuals while maintaining cost-sharing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 854 allows Tennessee magistrates to consider reliable hearsay evidence, such as computer printouts of state and federal criminal records from the TBI and FBI, when deciding whether to release a defendant on bail and setting the bail amount. Defendants must be given a fair opportunity to challenge any such evidence used against them. This law directly affects individuals facing pretrial release decisions in Tennessee courts, changing how magistrates assess risk and public safety concerns during bail hearings. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-11-115(b) and 40-11-118(b) to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1322 streamlines Tennessee's charter school expansion process. It creates a "replication" pathway allowing existing public charter schools to open new campuses in the same district by applying to their local school board or the Tennessee Charter School Commission. The bill also establishes a direct application option to the Commission for sponsors seeking to open new schools, particularly after three consecutive denials by a local board within three years (triggering a five-year window for direct applications). Key changes include shifting oversight from the Department of Education to the Commission for certain approvals, requiring the Commission to publish applications online within 10 days, and setting a 90-day deadline for Commission decisions on direct applications.

Maddy summaryHB 1308 amends multiple Tennessee education laws to affect teachers, school districts, and students. Key changes include: revising parental leave requirements for educators (allowing non-consecutive weeks within 12 months), establishing a 50% enrollment threshold for using student data in school accountability ratings, and capping annual funding decreases for school districts at 5% (with adjustments for non-virtual school enrollment). The bill also updates reporting deadlines for school enrollment data and removes certain immunization reporting requirements for students in state custody. These provisions directly impact how schools manage staff benefits, accountability metrics, and state funding allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 1338 expands the definition of "local government" in Tennessee law to explicitly include water, wastewater, and energy authorities for bond and note issuance purposes. It creates a new requirement that local governments must seek approval from the Comptroller of the Treasury before issuing "heightened risk debt" (such as bonds with variable interest rates, reset provisions, or put options). This applies directly to water, wastewater, and energy authorities, as well as cities, counties, and utility districts. The Comptroller must determine if such debt is in the public interest before approval, with a 15-day review timeline. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 amends Tennessee law to require the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee to credit interest earned from investments related to water and wastewater system rates into a separate account. This interest must not revert to the general state fund and must be carried forward annually to support the authority's operations. The bill directly affects the Megasite Authority's financial management of utility system revenue. It makes no changes to how rates are set or who pays them, only altering the handling of accrued interest income. (This is a procedural bill with no direct impact on residents or businesses beyond the authority's accounting procedures.)