Rep. Bryan Terry

Maddy summaryHB 830 amends Tennessee law to change membership requirements for the Medical Cannabis Commission. It adds two new membership categories: (1) a patient caregiver (with documentation of their patient relationship), and (2) a subject matter expert knowledgeable in cannabis cultivation, processing, shipping, distribution, or medical prescription. The bill also updates the commission’s reporting duty to explicitly allow it to include policy recommendations in its reports to the Tennessee General Assembly. This enacted law (effective April 29, 2025) directly affects who serves on the commission and the scope of its advisory role.

Maddy summaryHB 1044, now Public Chapter 266, enacts Tennessee's "Medical Ethics Defense Act" to protect healthcare providers' rights to refuse care based on conscience. It prohibits discrimination against providers who decline to participate in specific procedures (like certain reproductive or end-of-life care) that conflict with their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs, as defined in the law. The bill also shields providers from retaliation for reporting violations of these protections or disclosing concerns about patient safety. It explicitly excludes federal laws like EMTALA and religious institutions' employment decisions from its scope.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJR 388) is a ceremonial resolution honoring country music artist Bayker Blankenship, a native of Livingston, Overton County, Tennessee. It recognizes his achievements, including his RIAA Certified Gold single "Maxed Out" (with 67 million streams and 500,000+ units sold), his debut album *Younger Years*, and his early success as a performer. The resolution does not create any legal obligations or policy changes; it solely serves to publicly congratulate Blankenship for his contributions to Tennessee's cultural landscape. As a procedural resolution, it directly affects no individuals or entities beyond the symbolic recognition of his accomplishments.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 387 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Carley Jaymes Vogel, a Middle Tennessee State University senior and 2024 Miss Tennessee winner. The resolution recognizes her third-place finish in the 2025 Miss America Pageant (the first top-five placement for a Miss Tennessee contestant since 2010), her advocacy for liver health and organ donation following her childhood diagnosis of chronic liver disease, and her community service including over 200 national anthem performances at events like Nashville Predators games. This non-binding resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of her achievements and role as a community ambassador, with no policy or legal impact.

Maddy summaryHJR 386 is a non-binding resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor the Providence Christian Academy boys' basketball team for winning their first TSSAA Division II-A state championship in the 2024-2025 season. It specifically recognizes their 30-2 record, their come-from-behind 78-66 victory over Battle Ground Academy on March 8, 2025, and their conduct as "exemplars" of Tennessee student-athletes. The resolution expresses the Assembly's pride in the team's teamwork, work ethic, and role as ambassadors for the state, without creating any new laws or obligations. It was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on April 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 395, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants or post-transplant care if the organ was sourced from China or procured through sale/donation originating in China. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by entities linked to "foreign adversaries" (specifically targeting China per the bill's context), requiring replacement within 180 days. Additionally, the bill mandates that all genetic sequencing data must be stored within the United States, with remote access from outside the country prohibited without approval from the state health commissioner. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HJR 331) honors the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Blue Raiders club hockey team for winning the 2024-2025 Ameritrans Cup as College Hockey South Conference champions. It specifically recognizes their first-ever conference championship, including their 4-0 victory over the University of South Florida on February 23, 2025. The resolution celebrates the team, coaching staff, and supporters for embodying dedication, teamwork, and community spirit during their championship season. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely to commend the team's achievement.

Maddy summaryHB 192, enacted as the "Individualized Investigational Treatment Act," allows patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses (after exhausting all FDA-approved treatments) to access custom-made therapies like personalized gene therapies or vaccines. It requires detailed written consent from patients and physicians outlining risks, outcomes, and financial responsibilities, while clarifying that insurers, hospitals, and manufacturers are not obligated to cover or provide these treatments. The law permits manufacturers to supply such therapies without compensation but allows them to charge patients for manufacturing costs. It also protects patients’ heirs from liability for treatment debts if the patient dies during treatment.

Maddy summaryHB 509 extends the deadline for physicians licensed in Tennessee to notify the Board of Medical Examiners of an address change, increasing the timeframe from 30 to 60 days. This change directly affects all physicians holding active licenses under Tennessee’s medical licensing regulations. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 63-6-209(d) to reflect this longer notification period, effective July 1, 2025. The policy simplifies compliance by giving physicians more time to update their registration details without penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 390 changes the deadline for Tennessee's Medical Cannabis Commission to submit its annual report to the legislature, moving it from January 1 to January 15. This procedural adjustment directly affects the Medical Cannabis Commission, which must now provide its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by the new date. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law related to cannabis regulations but does not alter any substantive medical cannabis policies or requirements.