Rep. Clark Boyd

Maddy summaryHB 1137 extends the deadline for local authorities to review subsurface sewage disposal system applications submitted by soil scientists from four to five business days. This bill directly affects soil scientists who submit these applications and local government officials responsible for processing them. The key change is a simple amendment to Tennessee law (TCA §68-221-406(b)) adjusting the processing timeline. It does not alter the requirements for the systems themselves or impact broader environmental regulations. The bill became law as Public Chapter 229 on April 29, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1139 clarifies monitoring requirements for facilities that install water softening systems. If such a system causes a facility to meet Tennessee's definition of a public water system under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the facility must test water hardness, alkalinity, and pH quarterly, and sodium annually. Results must be reported to the Department of Environment and Conservation within 15 days of each reporting period. The bill specifically excludes facilities that only install softeners from being classified as public water systems, but if they meet the definition due to the softener, they must comply with these testing rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1141 changes Tennessee law to allow the governor to appoint a representative for the assisted-care living facility industry to the health facilities commission from lists of qualified candidates submitted by interested groups, such as the Tennessee Center for Assisted Living. The bill also requires the commission to submit specific reports to the Tennessee General Assembly. These provisions directly affect the health facilities commission and the assisted-care living facility industry by altering how the industry representative is selected and adding transparency through mandatory reporting. The changes became effective upon the bill's passage as Public Chapter 263.

Maddy summaryHB 1143 clarifies that local governments (counties, cities) cannot restrict public utilities from using certain energy sources when creating regulations about clean or renewable energy. It requires all local energy requirements to include 19 specific sources as permissible, including solar, wind, nuclear power, natural gas, and biomass - regardless of how the local rule is worded. This directly affects municipal and county regulations governing utility energy sources and ensures utilities can comply by using any of the listed options. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections to define "clean or green energy" broadly and makes local rules that exclude these sources legally invalid.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding ceremonial resolution honoring Dorothy Steffen for celebrating her 100th birthday on October 6, 2025. It recognizes her life as a homemaker, pastor's wife, and matriarch with nine grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren, highlighting her service in Tennessee after moving there in 2023. The resolution has no policy impact or legal effect - it is solely a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Tennessee General Assembly.

Maddy summaryHJR 639 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Master Sergeant Nicole Hanson, an aerospace science instructor for the Lebanon High School Air Force Junior ROTC program in Tennessee. It recognizes her 22-year Air Force service, her role in revitalizing the JROTC program (including winning the Air Force Junior ROTC Outstanding Instructor Award in her first year), and her personal sacrifices like a lengthy commute to continue teaching. The resolution formally expresses the legislature's appreciation for her dedication to students and community service. As a symbolic gesture with no policy or legal impact, it does not create new requirements or affect any laws. The resolution was signed into law by the Governor on April 22, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1142 aligns Tennessee's definition of "manufactured home" with the federal definition under 42 U.S.C. § 5402(6), which excludes self-propelled recreational vehicles (RVs). This change updates the definition across three Tennessee statutes (Titles 47, 55, and 68) governing manufactured homes. The bill directly affects state regulations and enforcement related to manufactured homes, ensuring consistency with federal standards without creating new requirements or altering existing protections. It does not change eligibility for housing programs or impose new obligations on residents.

Maddy summaryHB 1136 prohibits Tennessee's Public Utility Commission (PUC) from regulating the entry, rates, terms, or conditions of broadband internet access services or interconnected voice-over-internet phone (VoIP) services. It explicitly prevents the PUC from treating providers of these services as "carriers" for regulatory purposes. The bill preserves existing consumer protection laws and federal telecom regulations (like the 1996 Telecommunications Act) but removes state-level oversight over pricing and service terms for these providers. This change directly affects broadband and VoIP service providers by limiting state regulatory authority over their commercial operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1135 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to submit an annual report on early grades reading performance to the Senate Education Committee and relevant House education committees by December 31 each year. This procedural bill directly affects the Department of Education (which must prepare and submit the report) and the specified legislative committees (which will receive the report). The bill does not change education policies or testing requirements but mandates a specific annual reporting process under Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49. It is currently pending in the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHJR 306 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the founding of the Major David Wilson Chapter of The Sons of the American Revolution in Tennessee. It formally commends the chapter's establishment (chartered January 25, 2025) and honors its namesake, Major David Wilson, a Revolutionary War veteran and early Tennessee government figure. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it solely expresses legislative appreciation for the chapter's work preserving American history and fostering patriotism. It was enacted after approval by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor on March 19, 2025.