Rep. William Lamberth

Maddy summaryHB 2550, the "Hunting for Heroes Act," creates a Tennessee National Guard Sportsman License that provides free hunting and fishing licenses to active Tennessee National Guard members in good standing. It requires applicants to submit a valid U.S. military ID and verification of their National Guard membership from the Adjutant General's office. The license grants the same benefits as a standard resident sportsman license, with costs covered by the state general fund (not wildlife resources funds). This bill directly affects current Tennessee National Guard members, eliminating their license fees while maintaining standard hunting/fishing regulations. The license will be available starting July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2528 amends Tennessee's security guard licensing laws to add "stalking" to the list of crimes requiring applicants to complete all sentence or probation terms and wait at least five years before applying for a security guard registration. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who seek security guard positions, preventing them from applying until five years after their sentence or probation ends. Key provisions include requiring security guards to report arrests or convictions for listed offenses (like stalking) within 10 days to both the state commissioner and their employer, and adding new disqualifiers for individuals on abuse registries or prohibited from owning firearms. These changes strengthen background checks and reporting requirements for security personnel without altering existing rules for other offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 2535 amends Tennessee's oil and gas regulations (TCA Titles 59, 60, and 68) by updating definitions and operational requirements for drilling and production. Key changes include reducing the required buffer zone around streams from 0.5 miles to 0.25 miles for well sites, clarifying that "operator" includes those managing well operations, and strengthening permit conditions requiring compliance plans before drilling. The bill also revises terminology (e.g., replacing "crude petroleum" with "oil") and specifies that failure to follow approved plans may result in permit suspension or penalties. These adjustments directly affect oil and gas operators, regulators, and landowners near drilling sites.

Maddy summaryHB 2534 shortens deadlines for administrative law judges handling environmental cases and clarifies board review procedures. It reduces the time for judges to issue initial orders from 180 to 90 days after a hearing concludes. The bill also specifies that certain environmental boards (attached to the Department of Environment and Conservation) cannot review initial orders themselves - they can only consider appeals filed directly by affected parties. This change affects environmental regulatory boards, businesses, and individuals involved in contested administrative cases before these boards. The law amends Tennessee Code Sections 60-1-401, 68-201-108, and 68-211-113 to implement these procedural updates.

Maddy summaryHB 2562 requires medical and osteopathic license holders in Tennessee to complete at least one hour of annual continuing education on nutrition topics. This applies to all physicians licensed under the Board of Medical Examiners (Title 63, Chapter 6) and osteopathic physicians licensed under the Board of Osteopathic Examination (Title 63, Chapter 9). The bill amends existing education requirements to mandate this specific nutrition focus, replacing previous general education rules. The change would take effect on January 1, 2028, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2538 modifies a Tennessee law governing the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee by increasing the required notice period before imposing penalties for land use violations. Specifically, it changes the notice requirement from 10 days to 14 days in written form for individuals who violate the Authority's land use regulations. This bill directly affects property owners or developers who might face penalties for violating the Authority's rules. The change applies only to the Megasite Authority's enforcement process under existing Title 64, Chapter 9 of Tennessee law, without altering penalty amounts or violation definitions. The bill is currently pending before the Cities & Counties Subcommittee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 2543 amends Tennessee law to govern the use of the governor's response and recovery fund after emergencies or disasters. It specifies that funds can be provided to eligible local governments (counties, cities, school districts) and individuals in counties that declared a state of emergency, subject to strict conditions like federal aid being unavailable and costs exceeding state thresholds. The bill details eligible uses, including debris removal, infrastructure repairs, and emergency protective measures, with projects needing completion within 18 months. It also requires local cost-sharing based on county economic status and prohibits funding for costs covered by insurance or other sources. This bill directly affects local governments and residents in qualifying disaster areas seeking state financial assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 2527 requires child protective teams handling human trafficking cases to include a representative from a nonprofit agency specializing in combating child sexual exploitation, rather than merely allowing it. It extends the timeline for child welfare agencies to determine if abuse reports are "indicated" or "unfounded" from 60 to 90 days for most cases, and to 180 days for cases involving child fatalities. The bill also mandates annual training for team members on severe child abuse and sexual abuse. These changes directly affect child protective teams, nonprofit anti-trafficking agencies, and families involved in abuse investigations across Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHB 2187 would enable Tennessee to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to deduct donations to scholarship organizations. The bill requires the state education department to certify qualifying organizations and publish their list, aligning with federal rules under Section 25F of the Internal Revenue Code. These certified organizations could then provide scholarships covering K-12 education expenses, including homeschooling costs, as permitted by federal law. The program would become available for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1635 clarifies eligibility for burial in Tennessee's state veterans' cemeteries, expanding access to include National Guard and reserve component members (such as Army or Air National Guard) who completed their service obligations, along with their spouses and children. The bill specifies required documentation for verification, including military discharge forms like DD-214 and NGB forms, and ensures the state accepts federal documentation standards. It also mandates that the state waive burial fees for eligible veterans, their spouses, and minor or dependent children. The changes aim to align Tennessee's policies with federal criteria while ensuring no disruption to federal funding for veterans' cemeteries.