Rep. Clay Doggett

Maddy summaryHB 2375 creates the "Greenbelt Initiative Fund Transfer (GIFT) Act," establishing a $210 million annual rural revenue equity fund within Tennessee's state general fund. It directs the commissioner of economic and community development to distribute funds to rural counties based on a scoring system weighing greenbelt land acreage (25% weight), agricultural sales (20%), greenbelt land percentage (15%), lack of development tax authority (15%), livestock farm output (10%), population (8%), and property tax history (7%). Rural counties can use funds for capital projects, infrastructure, law enforcement, emergency services, or property tax stabilization. The bill aims to address rural economic disparities by prioritizing counties with higher agricultural land classifications and lower tax burdens.

Maddy summaryHB 2480 creates five new social worker positions within Tennessee's public defender offices, effective July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects public defenders and their clients, particularly those needing social services support during legal proceedings. The key provision amends Tennessee Code (Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4) to establish these additional roles. The bill does not alter legal procedures or funding mechanisms but increases staffing capacity for social work services in the public defense system.

Maddy summaryHB 2377 revises Tennessee's definition of "continuous sexual abuse of a child" in criminal law. It requires prosecutors to prove three or more separate incidents of sexual abuse against one or more minors, with at least one incident occurring in the filing county and another on or after July 1, 2026. The bill also specifies that these incidents must occur over a period of 30 days or more, and mandates unanimous jury agreement on this timeframe. The changes apply to cases occurring on or after July 1, 2026, directly affecting prosecutors, courts, and defendants in child sexual abuse cases.

Maddy summaryHB 592 expands eligibility for compensation to individuals wrongfully imprisoned whose sentences were vacated due to actual innocence (not just exoneration), including those with dismissed charges under specific statutes. It allows people wrongfully imprisoned before the law's enactment to file claims within one year of the bill's effective date. Surviving spouses and children can now file claims on behalf of a deceased wrongfully imprisoned person, with payments distributed to surviving family members as specified. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 9-8-108 to clarify these provisions and ensure access to compensation for affected individuals and their families.

Maddy summaryHB 2378 designates October 11 of each year as "General Pulaski Memorial Day" in Tennessee to honor Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish-born Revolutionary War hero who died on that date in 1779. The bill adds this observance to Tennessee law (TCA Title 15, Chapter 2) but specifies it is not a legal holiday. It aims to commemorate Pulaski's military service, his role as "Father of the American Cavalry," and recognize Polish-American contributions to Tennessee, aligning with the federal observance of the same day. The bill does not create new policies or affect specific groups beyond establishing a state-level day of remembrance.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors the Richland High School Lady Raiders girls' basketball team for winning the 2026 TSSAA Division I, Class A state championship. The measure formally recognizes the players, coaches, cheerleaders, and support staff who contributed to their historic first state title, which they achieved with a 34-33 victory over Middleton. It specifically acknowledges individual achievements, including four players named to the All-State Tournament team and all five seniors earning spots on the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee All-District Academic Team. The resolution serves as a ceremonial tribute rather than establishing new laws or funding, and it was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed into law in April 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 369 clarifies that school employees do not commit a criminal offense for altering, creating, or duplicating a student's grade in school records when the change results from the student retaking a failed course, exam, or assignment through a designated program. This amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-14-136 explicitly exempts such grade adjustments from the falsification of educational documents statute. The law directly affects school employees who update student records under retake programs, ensuring these routine administrative actions are not treated as criminal violations. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and amends TCA Section 39-14-136 and Title 49.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally recognizes Major Wayne Sellers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol on the occasion of his retirement. It acknowledges his thirty-seven years of service, which included roles as a road trooper, sergeant, troop lieutenant, district captain, and major. The resolution expresses appreciation for his dedication to public safety and community service throughout his career. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official commendation from the Tennessee state legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2372 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include evaluating a person's need for medical attention as part of a jailer's responsibility for their care while confined in a county jail. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated §41-4-103(b) to clarify that jailers may assess confined individuals for medical needs during routine care evaluations. This change directly affects jailers who manage county jails and the people held in those facilities. The law specifies that medical evaluation is now a defined part of the jailer's care duties, not an additional requirement. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2370 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to report to specific legislative committees about motorcycle rider education programs and safety fund spending. The report must include the number of participants in the motorcycle rider education program each year for the past three calendar years, and details on how funds from the motorcycle rider safety fund were spent during the previous three fiscal years. This bill does not change program rules or funding but mandates transparency for lawmakers. It is a reporting requirement, not a substantive policy change.