Rep. Clay Doggett

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) honoring Keither "Dale" Hood, a Tennessee veteran and community member. It expresses the Tennessee House of Representatives' condolences to his family and commemorates his service as a U.S. Army veteran (Vietnam era) and dedication to public service. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely serves to recognize his life and legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 575 allows Tennessee court offices to send the discharge-from-release form electronically to law enforcement instead of by mail or in person. This form is required when a defendant is released from court-imposed conditions of release. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 40-11-150 to explicitly permit this electronic distribution, affecting courts and law enforcement agencies that handle pretrial release paperwork. It streamlines a routine administrative process without changing release conditions or eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 648 simplifies registration for landlords of larger properties by allowing a single form submission for all units in a building with five or more dwelling units, provided the required information is identical across all units. It also permits local governments to require residential landlords to register with them, setting fee limits and allowing existing local ordinances to remain in effect until June 30, 2025. The bill directly affects landlords managing multi-unit properties and local governments responsible for enforcing building codes. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee law to streamline this registration process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Tennessee law to extend the maximum allowable mileage for conventional and Class D school buses from 200,000 miles to 230,000 miles. It directly affects school districts and transportation providers by allowing buses to operate 30,000 additional miles before retirement, potentially reducing replacement costs. The key provision is a straightforward update to the mileage threshold in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2109, with no new requirements or funding changes. The amendment takes effect upon becoming law and applies to all eligible school buses under current regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement to list defendants as fugitives from justice within ten business days if a bench warrant is issued for their failure to appear in court for certain serious charges. Specifically, this applies to felony cases or violent or sexual misdemeanors, as well as any charge related to failing to show up for a court date. The law also mandates that officers check for prior arrests or convictions before setting bail and ensure these records are kept in the person's official file. Additionally, the bill clarifies that bail bond companies are not responsible for their fees if the defendant is not entered into the fugitive database within the required timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how courts handle people who are found incompetent to stand trial because of intellectual disability. When a judge declares such a person incompetent, the court must now decide if that person needs involuntary care and treatment at the same hearing. The law also clarifies that the district attorney general does not have to file a separate complaint to order this care. These changes affect the legal process for individuals with intellectual disabilities facing criminal charges and the officials who manage their care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "The Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act" to require courts to order offenders charged with specific domestic violence crimes to wear GPS monitoring devices as a condition of their release on bail. Under the new rules, judges must also provide victims with a cellular app or electronic device that alerts them if the offender enters a prohibited area or comes within a set distance. The law mandates that these monitoring systems remain in place unless a judge determines the offender no longer poses a threat to the victim or public safety. Additionally, the bill defines the technical requirements for the monitoring equipment and clarifies the responsibilities of the private or public companies that operate these tracking services.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for victims to apply for state compensation from 30 to 60 days after a crime occurs. It directly affects individuals in Tennessee who have suffered criminal injuries and are seeking financial assistance through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act. By updating the deadline in the relevant state codes, the law provides applicants with additional time to submit their claims without losing eligibility. The change takes effect on July 1, 2024, allowing more victims to access available funds for medical and other related expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the rules for expunging criminal records in Tennessee by allowing individuals to petition for expunction even if they have a prior conviction for a crime that cannot be expunged. The law specifically permits this if the eligible offense happened before the ineligible conviction, provided traffic violations are not counted as disqualifying offenses. Additionally, the bill adjusts the waiting period requirements, changing the criteria from the number of offenses a person has been convicted of to the specific types of offenses they are seeking to have expunged. Under the new rules, a petitioner must wait at least five years after finishing their sentence for two misdemeanors or a Class E felony and a misdemeanor, or ten years for a misdemeanor and a Class C or D felony. These changes aim to make the expunction process more flexible for people with mixed criminal histories who still qualify for record sealing on certain charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Tennessee's laws regarding retirement benefits for state employees who perform hazardous duties. It requires the board of trustees to include specific certifications about these supplemental benefits in their annual report. The change ensures that information about these special benefits is officially recorded and published alongside other financial details. This update affects the administrative reporting process for the state's retirement system but does not alter the benefits themselves.