Rep. William Lamberth

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJR 881) is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Drew Goddard to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees. It directly affects Goddard, who will serve a term expiring October 31, 2029, representing Middle Tennessee on the board. The resolution follows Tennessee law requiring legislative confirmation for this governor-appointed position. The bill itself does not create new policy or alter existing laws - it solely ratifies the appointment.

Maddy summaryHJR 879 is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Mike Frick to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees. It does not create new policy or affect any specific programs; it simply formalizes Frick's appointment, which requires legislative confirmation under Tennessee law. Frick, a retired Bank of America executive with community leadership experience, will serve a term expiring October 31, 2029, representing West Tennessee on the board. The resolution has no substantive policy impact beyond confirming this existing appointment.

Maddy summaryHB 2546 modifies Tennessee's Sports Hall of Fame governance. It reduces the executive committee from seven to six members (including the commissioner, board chair/vice chair, and one regional representative), adds a requirement for the board to direct the Hall's mission and strategic direction, and shortens the timeline for submitting annual operational plans to the commissioner to 90 days before each year. The bill directly affects the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame board and the commissioner of tourist development. These changes aim to streamline governance and clarify operational oversight without altering the Hall's public mission.

Maddy summaryHB 2531 establishes an annual grant program for rescue squads in Tennessee to purchase firefighting and rescue equipment (excluding vehicles). It directly affects municipal, county, or nonprofit rescue squads providing emergency response services. The bill requires the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance to evaluate grant applications, select recipients annually, and disburse funds - ensuring equal funding across Tennessee's three grand divisions. Grants must cover equipment costs or federal grant matching requirements, with unspent funds carried forward to future years. The program is funded through annual state appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 2544 changes how liquefied gas tax is paid for vehicles, requiring payment at the time of gas delivery instead of annual prepayment. It eliminates annual renewals for liquefied gas user permits, making them permanent as long as users submit timely tax reports and payments. The bill also expands tax provisions to include hydrogen gas vehicles and modifies reporting requirements for dealers and users. These changes primarily affect owners and operators of liquefied gas-powered vehicles in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHB 1627 removes specific administrative requirements from Tennessee's child support system. The bill deletes language requiring the Department of Human Services to establish, advertise, and maintain a statewide toll-free phone line for child support inquiries and complaints, as well as to create satellite offices for the central collection unit (TCA Sections 36-5-118 and 36-5-119). It replaces the removed requirements with a general mandate that the department or its contractor must maintain a customer service unit for handling child support inquiries. This change affects how the state administers child support services, streamlining certain customer service infrastructure without altering core collection or disbursement processes. The bill focuses on procedural updates rather than policy changes to the child support program itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1811 is a routine procedural bill that codifies all general and public laws passed during Tennessee's 2025 regular and extraordinary legislative sessions into the official Tennessee Code Annotated. It does not change any existing laws or policies but integrates these laws into the state's updated legal code for clarity and accessibility. The bill specifies that any prior legislative acts remain controlling in case of conflicts with this codification, and it repeals outdated versions of the laws it incorporates. This annual process, standard for state law organization, affects the state's legal framework but has no direct impact on citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 1502 authorizes the Tennessee Corrections Institute to set training standards and certify local corrections officers and training academies for jails and lock-ups. It requires local facilities to submit plans of action within 90 days after inspections to address non-safety issues, with limits on plan duration. The bill also allows the Institute's director and full-time staff to carry firearms while performing official duties. This directly affects corrections officers, local correctional facilities, and the Tennessee Corrections Institute staff.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 removes a requirement for Portland to hold a public referendum when selling, leasing, or disposing of the city's water or light plant assets. The bill deletes existing provisions (from Chapter 568 of 1939) that mandated referendums for these transactions, instead requiring only approval by Portland's city council with a two-thirds vote. This change directly affects Portland's local government authority over its public utility assets. The bill remains procedural and does not alter the city's ability to manage these assets, only the approval process.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors the memory of Edgar "Ed" Joines Cochran, a resident of Englewood, Tennessee, who passed away and is being commemorated by the state legislature. The bill formally recognizes Cochran's life as a public servant, business owner, and family man, highlighting his long career running Ed's Grocery and his dedication to his community and faith. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official memorial acknowledging his contributions and expressing the General Assembly's condolences to his family. The resolution is a ceremonial document intended to preserve his legacy and provide a formal tribute to his life and service.