Rep. Shaundelle Brooks

Maddy summaryHJR 296 is a Tennessee legislative resolution honoring Patricia and Manuel Oliver for their activism against gun violence following their son Joaquin "Guac" Oliver's death in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The resolution recognizes their nonprofit organization, Change the Ref, and their public awareness projects - including the NRA Children's Museum, "The Lost Class" graduation ceremony for gun violence victims, and the "Guac" stage performance - which memorialize their son and advocate for gun violence prevention. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the Olivers' efforts to hold leaders accountable and drive change, including contributing to the establishment of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

Maddy summaryHB 566 allows Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration and the Office of Criminal Justice Programs to use existing resources and seek additional federal or state funding to design and implement grants targeting gun violence reduction. The bill specifically defines "gun violence" as homicide, violent crime, and domestic violence, and amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to enable this funding mechanism. It does not create new spending but directs state agencies to leverage current resources and pursue external funding for grant programs. The bill directly affects state agencies managing criminal justice programs and communities impacted by gun violence through potential grant-supported initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 950, if enacted, would create an Urban Green Space Development Fund to provide state grants for purchasing or protecting green spaces (like parks, community gardens, and natural areas) in urban areas defined by U.S. Census data. Local governments and private nonprofits could apply for grants to acquire land or permanent protections (such as conservation easements), requiring them to contribute matching funds from non-state sources. The bill also establishes a separate program to incentivize community-led projects that reduce air pollution. These grants would require recipients to grant perpetual easements restricting land use to green space purposes and undergo state audits.

Maddy summaryHB 951, the "Clean Energy and Jobs Act," creates two main programs to support renewable energy and sustainable business practices in Tennessee. It establishes a Clean Energy Workforce Training Grant Fund to provide grants for workforce development programs in clean energy, administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Additionally, it offers a 30% tax credit for renewable energy businesses (like solar or wind companies) and small businesses (with 50 or fewer employees) that purchase systems or equipment to develop renewable energy or implement eco-friendly practices (such as recycling or energy-efficient manufacturing). The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and is currently under review by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.