Rep. Shaundelle Brooks

Maddy summaryHB 2325 sets maximum property tax rates for Tennessee counties and municipalities. It caps county property tax rates at $3.00 per $100 of assessed value and municipal rates at $2.50 per $100. These limits will take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to all local governments setting property tax rates. The bill directly affects county and municipal governments by restricting their authority to set higher tax rates. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 5, to establish these specific rate caps.

Maddy summaryHB 955, the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act," allows Tennessee local governments to adopt rent control ordinances (requiring a two-thirds legislative vote) to set maximum rents and fees for private residential properties, with specific requirements for local rent agencies and appeal processes. It creates the Increased Housing Program, administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), which provides gap financing to developers building affordable housing and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers for primary residences. The program prioritizes housing developments in areas affected by recent federal disasters and excludes participants from certain tax credits, with THDA required to report annually on program outcomes starting in 2026. This bill directly affects local governments, landlords, renters, developers, and first-time homebuyers by introducing new rent regulation mechanisms and state-funded housing support.

Maddy summaryHB 952, the "Small Business Growth and Empowerment Act," creates tax credits for small businesses that hire locally or provide workforce training, and establishes grants for minority-owned and women-owned businesses in underserved areas. The bill authorizes a dedicated fund (managed by the Department of Economic and Community Development) to provide grants for activities like site development, infrastructure, training, and technology improvements that directly support these businesses. Grants must be used in underserved communities - defined as areas with historical barriers to capital, such as rural or inner-city neighborhoods - and recipients must be local governments, economic development organizations, or nonprofits. The fund requires quarterly public reporting of grant recipients, amounts, and project descriptions to ensure transparency. This legislation directly affects small businesses, minority/women business owners, and communities seeking economic development resources.

Maddy summaryHB 946 requires applicants and electric utilities to conduct and submit site assessments before local governments approve zoning changes or permits for new high energy use facilities (HEUFs), defined as projects needing 100+ megawatts of power (including large data centers). The assessments must examine sound impacts on homes and schools within 500 feet, as well as effects on water, agriculture, parks, and historic sites. Electric utilities must also detail required power infrastructure like new substations and transmission voltage. This bill directly affects developers of large energy projects, local zoning authorities, and electric utilities, applying only to new facilities - not expansions under 100 MW.

Maddy summaryHB 1859, the "Freedom from Medical Debt Act," requires Tennessee’s state treasurer to contract with a nonprofit entity to repay medical debt for eligible residents. It directly affects Tennessee residents with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or those owing medical debt equal to 5% or more of their annual household income. The bill prohibits healthcare providers from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus starting July 1, 2026, and mandates that nonprofits remove negative credit reporting after repaying debt. Eligible debt must remain unpaid for over 120 days after billing, and repayment contracts explicitly state the state is not liable for the debt.

Maddy summaryThe "School Safety and Mental Health Act" requires every public school in Tennessee to employ at least one full-time licensed school counselor. It creates a state grant program for school safety infrastructure improvements, mandating that school districts detail how funds will address safety needs identified in security assessments and support charter schools. Districts must comply with all state school safety laws to qualify for grants, and unspent funds must carry forward to future years. The law becomes effective on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 948 requires individuals convicted of domestic assault or subject to a domestic violence order of protection to surrender any firearms they possess to a law enforcement agency within 48 hours. They must then provide the court with a receipt from law enforcement and a completed affidavit of firearm dispossession within three business days. Law enforcement must issue a receipt at the time of surrender, and the court will require proof of compliance. The law applies to all such orders or convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1860 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to provide inmate-related records and information to any state legislator upon written request. This directly affects the Department of Correction (which must comply) and state legislators (who gain access to review compliance with correctional laws). The bill mandates that legislators submit specific written requests naming an inmate, sign confidentiality agreements, and keep all records on-site during review. It does not change correctional laws but creates a formal process for legislative oversight of inmate custody practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1462 prohibits homeowners' associations (HOAs) from banning first responders - such as firefighters, EMTs, or police officers - from parking emergency vehicles at their home or on adjacent roads. It also bans HOAs from penalizing or threatening to penalize first responders for doing so. The bill directly affects HOAs and first responders by requiring HOAs to allow this parking without restrictions in their rules or declarations. The law applies to all HOAs adopting or amending rules after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 688 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor the four victims of the April 22, 2018, Waffle House shooting in Nashville on the seventh anniversary of the tragedy. It specifically recognizes Akilah Dasilva, DeEbony Groves, Joe Perez, and Taurean Sanderlin - each under 30 years old - and expresses the state's respect for their memory. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes; it serves solely as a symbolic tribute to be observed on April 22, 2025.