Rep. Lee Reeves

Maddy summaryHJR 676 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the country music band Sawyer Brown for their 40th anniversary. It recognizes their career milestones - including their 1984 Star Search win, over 50 charted singles, 24 albums, and industry awards - without creating any new laws or affecting anyone. The resolution has no policy impact, as it is purely symbolic and non-binding. It was officially adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 855 requires Tennessee's statewide political parties (like Republicans and Democrats) to nominate candidates for all partisan offices through primary elections held in August or November. This applies to all counties, except in counties where a party used a non-primary method (like a convention) to nominate candidates in 2022 or 2024, allowing them to continue that method under specific conditions. The bill amends Tennessee election law to standardize nomination procedures while preserving limited exceptions for counties with prior non-primary nominations. It directly affects how political parties select candidates for statewide and local offices in partisan elections.

Maddy summaryHB 199 gives Tennessee's environmental commissioner authority to issue variances (exceptions) to subsurface sewage disposal rules, overriding stricter local requirements. This directly affects property owners needing sewage systems and county health departments implementing these rules. The bill requires any granted variance to be recorded with the county register of deeds. It amends state law to clarify the commissioner's role in approving these exceptions while ensuring public records are updated.

Maddy summaryHB 749 creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for operating a vehicle in Tennessee with an out-of-state driver license issued exclusively to individuals without lawful immigration status. The bill specifically targets licenses marked or designed to distinguish undocumented immigrants from other license holders, defining them as "invalid" in Tennessee. It requires the state to publish and maintain a list of such invalid license types by December 2025. This law directly affects non-residents holding these specific out-of-state licenses, making their use a punishable offense. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2026, with related administrative provisions effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHJR 503 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Hugh Harris upon his retirement as headmaster and president of Franklin Christian Academy after 21 years of service. It recognizes his career in education, including founding the academy in 2004, his leadership roles, and his work in community ministry. The resolution formally commends his dedication to students and education in Tennessee but contains no policy changes or legal effects. As a purely honorary measure, it does not impose obligations or alter laws.

Maddy summaryHB 468 increases criminal penalties for reckless endangerment involving firearms discharged into vehicles. If a motor vehicle is occupied, discharging a firearm (including antique firearms) into it becomes a Class C felony; if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill amends Tennessee law to specify these penalty levels under reckless endangerment statutes. This change directly affects individuals who recklessly fire weapons into vehicles, raising the severity of potential criminal charges based on whether the vehicle was occupied at the time. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 177 directs Tennessee's Department of Safety to study how federal immigration laws are enforced in the state, including detentions, removals, investigations, and related challenges. The department must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by January 1, 2026. This bill does not change immigration laws or create new policies - it only requires a study and report on existing enforcement practices. The bill is procedural, focusing on gathering information rather than implementing new rules.

Maddy summaryHB 363 designates the month of November as "Diabetes Awareness Month" in Tennessee, as part of the state's official calendar of special observances under Tennessee Code Annotated. The bill amends Title 15, Chapter 2, Part 1 to formally recognize this observance annually, without creating new requirements or funding for diabetes-related programs. It directly affects state government operations by adding this designation to official state observances. This is a symbolic, non-binding measure focused solely on raising public awareness, not on implementing new policies or services.

Maddy summaryHJR 319 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Mark Burns for winning his fifth ATA Martial Arts world title in 2024. It recognizes his athletic achievement, his return to competition after hip replacements, and his work founding the faith-based martial arts school Honor Martial Arts with his wife. The resolution has no legislative effect - it does not change laws, allocate funds, or impact any policies or individuals. It serves solely as a symbolic tribute from the Tennessee General Assembly.

Maddy summaryHJR 321 is a resolution recognizing the Davis House Child Advocacy Center in Franklin, Tennessee, for its 25th anniversary. The resolution commends the center for providing forensic interviews, counseling, and child abuse prevention education to children and families in Williamson County. It highlights the center's work since 2000, including over 10,000 forensic interviews and 5,000 counseling sessions, supporting thousands of children affected by abuse. The resolution emphasizes the center's collaborative approach with law enforcement and community agencies to improve child safety and healing.