Rep. Johnny Garrett

Maddy summaryHJR 996 is a commemorative resolution honoring Norman Pauley, a Chick-fil-A Rivergate dining room host known for his kindness and community impact. The resolution expresses the legislature’s condolences to his family and commemorates his legacy of hospitality and integrity. This symbolic gesture has no policy implications and does not affect laws, regulations, or any living individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 2448 changes the annual deadline for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to report excess funds collected from background check fees charged to gun dealers, shifting the date from February 1 to February 15 each year. This procedural adjustment applies to multiple firearm-related sections of Tennessee law, including those governing background checks and fee reporting. The bill does not alter the background check process, fee amounts, or the calculation of excess funds. It solely modifies the TBI's reporting timeline without changing policy substance.

Maddy summaryHB 910 terminates Tennessee's Human Rights Commission effective July 1, 2025, and transfers its responsibilities for enforcing anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, public accommodations, harassment, education, and the Civil Rights Act of 1990 to the Attorney General. The bill amends Tennessee Code to shift oversight of these areas from the commission to the Attorney General's office. This change affects individuals and entities subject to discrimination laws in Tennessee, as enforcement will now be handled by the state's legal office. The law became effective May 12, 2025, following Governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 1073 modifies Tennessee's election law by extending the deadline for holding special elections from 10 to 15 days after receiving an order. This change directly affects election administrators and officials responsible for scheduling special elections. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 2-14-105, to adjust this timeline without altering campaign finance rules or other substantive election procedures. It became effective on May 2, 2025, following gubernatorial approval. The policy change is procedural, focusing solely on administrative timing for special elections.

Maddy summaryHB 1038 requires all Tennessee juvenile court clerks to adopt a single, secure statewide system for managing juvenile case records. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) must maintain this system and set adoption timelines for courts. Juvenile courts must report case data monthly through this system, replacing older record-keeping methods. This affects every juvenile court clerk and the state’s court administration across all counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Tennessee calculates the maximum interest rate allowed on home loans. It replaces the previous method, which used mortgage auction data and Treasury bond yields, with the average prime offer rate as the new benchmark. Lenders must now set interest rates at four percentage points above this prime rate, with a hard cap of 18% per annum. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all home loans made within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 911 amends Tennessee's consumer protection law to ban the sale of radar-jamming devices and require clearer disclosures when businesses advertise government services. It specifically prohibits advertising, selling, or promoting radar-jamming technology (used to interfere with speed enforcement) and mandates that businesses disclose if they offer free or low-cost government services (like document processing) that could be obtained directly from government. The bill also updates enforcement rules, allowing the Attorney General to pursue cases more efficiently and tying violations of these new provisions to the existing Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. These changes directly affect businesses selling radar jammers and those marketing government-related services.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how revenue from a state sales tax increase is distributed between the state and local municipalities. It directs 4.6030% of the additional tax revenue from the increase of the sales and use tax rate from 6% to 7% to be apportioned to incorporated cities and towns, while the remaining 95.3970% goes to the state general fund. The legislation also updates related code sections to ensure revenue allocation follows this new distribution framework. This change affects how sales tax money collected from residents and businesses is shared between state and local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 1074 removes two notification requirements related to prior authorization for healthcare services in Tennessee. It eliminates the obligation for healthcare providers to inform patients when communicating with insurers about missing information for prior authorization requests, and it removes the requirement for utilization review organizations to notify patients when providers fail to submit needed information within seven days. The bill directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and insurance entities by changing communication protocols during the prior authorization process. These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-171(b) and 56-6-705(a), effective upon becoming law (Public Chapter 125, enacted April 8, 2025).

Maddy summaryHB 1039 expands who can submit electronic property records to Tennessee county registers under the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act. It specifically authorizes licensed attorneys, financial institutions, federal entities, title companies, and government entities (including counties and school districts) to file electronic documents. The bill also requires electronic filing vendors to verify submitters' authorization and makes vendors liable for failures to comply. This change, effective July 1, 2025, streamlines property record-keeping for eligible entities while clarifying vendor responsibilities.