Rep. David Hawk

Maddy summaryHB 2365 expands Tennessee's education freedom scholarship program to cover students enrolled in out-of-district public schools (those attending public schools outside their assigned neighborhood district). The bill allows eligible students to receive state-funded scholarships covering tuition and fees at these schools instead of their zoned public school, while requiring them to meet standard attendance rules and annual testing. It adds specific testing and reporting requirements for students in out-of-district public schools, mandating they take the same assessments as public school peers and requiring schools to submit aggregated test results to the state. The scholarship amount equals the tuition charged by the out-of-district public school, fully funded by the state. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1685, the "Zero Estimated Exposure Policy Act," requires construction companies with no employees to formally notify their contracting partners in writing about their workers' compensation policy covering zero liability. It mandates that these companies provide the policy copy to all directly contracted entities, which must then retain both documents for three years (with homeowners doing work on their primary residence exempt from retention). The bill also requires insurers to obtain signed attestations from applicants confirming no employees and zero exposure, with penalties for false statements under Tennessee law. This directly affects construction service providers and their business partners in Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system.

Maddy summaryHB 1684 allows personal delivery devices (like sidewalk robots or small delivery drones) to operate on bicycle paths, shoulders, parking lots, and areas adjacent to roadways in Tennessee, directly affecting delivery companies and local governments. The bill removes local governments' authority to ban these devices entirely - though they may still impose reasonable safety regulations - and sets a 20 mph speed limit for them. It also defines personal delivery devices as having pedestrian rights on sidewalks/crosswalks and cyclist rights elsewhere, aligning their operation with existing traffic rules for those areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHJR 990 designates March 2-6, 2026, as "Bring David Crockett Home Week" in Tennessee. The resolution honors David Crockett, a Tennessee-born frontiersman, statesman, and historical figure who served in the state legislature and U.S. Congress before dying at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. It encourages Tennesseans to learn about Crockett's legacy and support the preservation of his birthplace at David Crockett Birthplace State Park. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes his historical significance to the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2362 would prevent Tennessee local governments from blocking the transfer of permits for entertainment transportation businesses (such as party buses or tour vehicles), imposing stricter noise limits on these vehicles than for other tourism-related businesses, requiring traffic studies for permits, or mandating that vehicles be enclosed if safety standards are met. It also specifies that permits may only be revoked for good cause, such as repeated violations or if a permit has been unused for six months. The bill directly affects businesses operating entertainment transportation and the local governments that regulate them. This legislation sets clear, specific restrictions on local government actions to reduce arbitrary permit denials or unnecessary requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 969 requires that all sales and use tax revenue from the sale, use, or distribution of new or used tires (effective July 1, 2025) must be allocated to Tennessee's highway fund, rather than other state funds. This directly affects how state transportation funding is distributed, ensuring tire-related tax revenue supports highway maintenance and infrastructure. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to implement this change and excludes certain existing tax allocations (like education-specific funds) from this requirement. It does not alter current tax rates but redirects a specific revenue stream to highway funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Tennessee's school safety requirements for window treatments in public and charter school buildings. For schools constructed or remodeled between July 2023 and June 2025, it mandates clear entry-resistant film on exterior entry windows and doors to prevent unauthorized access. Starting July 1, 2025, schools must install window film or security glazing meeting a nationally recognized standard (such as ASTM F3561) for entry points and secure vestibules. The state-level school safety team must develop compliance guidelines and submit them to the state fire marshal for inclusion in safety rules.

Maddy summaryHB 968 establishes new tax rates for vapor products (such as e-cigarettes) sold in Tennessee, replacing the existing 6.6% tax on traditional tobacco products. Closed-system vapor products (e.g., disposable cartridges) are taxed at 7 cents per milliliter of liquid, while open-system products (e.g., refillable devices) are taxed at 10% of the wholesale price. The bill requires manufacturers to certify FDA-compliant products through the Department of Revenue and maintain a public website directory listing all authorized vapor products. Revenue from these taxes must fund enforcement of vapor product regulations, not revert to the general fund.

Maddy summaryHJR 663 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Kenneth Robert Carpenter, a Greene County Sheriff's Office employee retiring after a 56-year law enforcement career. The resolution formally recognizes his service, military background (including Air Force duty in Greenland), community involvement (TSSAA official, Jaycees, Moose Lodge), and dedication to family. It does not create new laws or affect policy; it simply expresses the Tennessee General Assembly's appreciation for his retirement. The resolution was signed by the House Speaker, Senate Speaker, and Governor in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 965 encourages licensed contractors and subcontractors working on Tennessee state construction projects valued at $1 million or more to hire apprentices from certified programs. It requires state agencies to include a question in requests for proposals asking whether contractors will employ such apprentices. The bill amends Tennessee law to promote apprenticeship participation in state construction projects, effective November 1, 2026. This applies directly to contractors on large state construction contracts and state agencies managing those projects.