Rep. Pat Marsh

Maddy summaryHB 649 requires Tennessee counties to receive 50% of real estate transfer tax collections (recordation tax) instead of the state retaining those funds. Counties must use these funds exclusively for transportation infrastructure (at least 50%), schools, public facilities, debt service, or matching state/federal projects - **not** for salaries or to replace existing road funding. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-4-409, prohibiting counties from counting these funds toward local revenue calculations for budget planning. This directly affects all 95 Tennessee counties by redirecting a new local revenue stream toward specific public projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1549 amends Tennessee's Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to incorporate updates from the Uniform Law Commission's 2018 and 2022 revisions. The bill primarily updates definitions to modernize electronic transactions, including clarifying terms like "conspicuous," "delivery" for electronic documents, "control" of electronic titles, and "electronic" records. It affects businesses, legal entities, and courts handling commercial transactions in Tennessee by standardizing how electronic records, signatures, and digital documents are treated under state law. The changes ensure Tennessee's UCC aligns with current commercial practices and federal standards for electronic commerce. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn before committee action.

Maddy summaryHB 1047 creates tax credits to help businesses transition to employee ownership models. It provides up to $25,000 in credits for converting to worker-owned cooperatives or employee ownership trusts, and up to $100,000 for converting to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), covering 50% of eligible conversion costs like legal and valuation fees. The bill also exempts these employee-owned businesses from certain state taxes and requires outreach to minority-owned businesses about the incentives. Businesses must apply for the credit, and the state must report annually on the program's effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHB 988 exempts subsidiaries of Tennessee agricultural cooperatives from state business taxes, regardless of their legal structure (such as corporation, LLC, or partnership). It directly affects agricultural cooperative subsidiaries that channel profits back to the parent cooperative. The bill amends tax code to remove the previous requirement that subsidiaries must be formed as specific legal entities to qualify for the exemption. This change ensures the tax benefit applies broadly to all subsidiary types, promoting agricultural economic activity within Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHB 164 reduces the required continuing education hours for chiropractors in Tennessee from 60 to 50 hours per license renewal cycle. This change directly affects all licensed chiropractors in Tennessee, including those who provide animal chiropractic services, by lowering their annual training requirement. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 63-12-112(a)(2)(A) to reflect this new hour count. The law took effect on May 13, 2025, after being enacted as Public Chapter 304.

Maddy summaryHB 313 (now Public Chapter 159) changes Tennessee retirement rules for public employees who return to work after retiring. It requires retirees to have a complete, 60-day separation from their previous job with no prearranged return agreement before accepting temporary reemployment without losing retirement benefits. Retirees may work up to 120 days per year (or 24 credit hours for teachers) with earnings capped at 60% of their prior full-time salary, and employers must certify compliance annually. The law ensures retirees cannot exceed these limits without benefit reductions, and retirement systems may recover overpaid benefits through monthly deductions. This applies to all Tennessee public retirees covered under the state retirement system.

Maddy summaryHB 421 modifies training requirements for Tennessee utility district commissioners. It reduces the required continuing education hours from 12 to 6 annually after initial training and creates a process for commissioners who lose eligibility due to missed training to petition for reinstatement. Commissioners must complete 12 hours of training within one year after a reinstatement hearing, with the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation setting terms for eligibility restoration. This bill directly affects current and future utility district commissioners who fail to meet training obligations. The changes apply to Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 7-34-115 and 7-82-308.

Maddy summaryHB 759 allows Tennessee school districts (Local Education Agencies) to implement merit-based pay systems for educators, enabling them to award extra compensation to high-performing teachers to encourage meeting or exceeding performance standards. The bill specifies that merit pay can only increase an educator’s compensation - through one-time bonuses or permanent salary adjustments - and must align with state funding levels. School districts are not required to use local funds to maintain merit pay from prior years and may choose not to offer it in any year without sufficient additional state funding compared to the previous year. This policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Maddy summaryHB 1405 repeals two historical laws (Chapter 30 of the 1975 Private Acts and Chapter 39 of the 1989 Private Acts) that established Bedford County's road board. The bill requires Bedford County's legislative body to approve the repeal by a two-thirds vote before it takes effect. If approved, the road board would be abolished, shifting road governance responsibilities to the county. The bill became law after the Governor signed it on April 24, 2025, but the actual change depends on local approval.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 520 is a formal resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Nick Davis upon his induction as president of the Tennessee Road Builders Association (TRBA) for 2025. It recognizes Davis's career in highway and bridge construction, his leadership roles within TRBA (including serving as president, vice president, and board chairman), and his service to Tennessee, citing his education, professional achievements, and community involvement. The resolution expresses the legislature's commendation of his "meritorious service" without creating any legal obligations or policy changes. As a commemorative resolution, it serves solely as a gesture of recognition and has no binding effect on state law or funding.