Rep. Kip Capley

Maddy summaryHB 558 creates a Class A misdemeanor for undocumented immigrants operating a motor vehicle without both a valid driver's license and proof of insurance (financial responsibility). It directly affects individuals in Tennessee without legal authorization to drive. The bill sets a maximum $1,000 fine for this offense and amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-101 and 55-50-301. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 205 is a memorial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Billy Ray Helton, Sr., a Lawrenceburg resident and public servant who served as president of Lawrenceburg Federal Bank and held community leadership roles including vice mayor of Lawrenceburg, trustee for Freed-Hardeman University, and commissioner of finance. The resolution expresses condolences to his family and commemorates his legacy of integrity, public service, and community involvement. As a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill), it has no binding effect or direct impact on any laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHJR 85 is a Tennessee legislative resolution honoring Franklin Dewey Shaffer, a Lawrenceburg resident and public servant. The resolution commemorates his life and community contributions, including his career as a lawyer, entrepreneur, and founder of businesses like Shaffer Farms Custom Meats and Texas Bar-B-Q. It does not create legal obligations or affect any policy, as it is a symbolic tribute to Shaffer's legacy of public service and civic engagement. The resolution was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 986 abolishes outdated common law property estates (fee simple determinable, fee simple subject to condition subsequent, and fee simple subject to executory limitation) that allow property owners to reclaim land under specific conditions. It makes reverter clauses in deeds or wills over 75 years old unenforceable by July 1, 2025, and requires property owners with such clauses to file a sworn statement by July 1, 2026, to extend protection for five years. This directly affects Tennessee property owners holding land under these old legal arrangements, converting their interests to full ownership (fee simple absolute) after the 75-year period unless the filing is completed. The bill ensures clearer property titles by ending indefinite reversion rights, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 560 clarifies that the monthly list of taxpayers delinquent in paying professional privilege tax - which the Tennessee Commissioner of Revenue sends to licensing boards - is subject to restrictions on how those boards can use the list. The bill directly affects licensing agencies (like those for doctors or lawyers) that receive this list, requiring them to follow rules set by the Commissioner of Revenue regarding its use. It amends Tennessee tax law to explicitly state that the commissioner may determine restrictions on the list’s application, such as limiting its use to specific enforcement purposes. This change ensures licensing boards cannot misuse the list beyond the commissioner’s defined boundaries. The bill does not alter tax rates or create new obligations, only clarifying existing data-sharing procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the "Back the Blue Act," increases the legal penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in Tennessee. While assaulting a first responder or nurse remains a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day minimum sentence and a $5,000 fine, assaulting a law enforcement officer is now classified as a Class E felony. This change imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days in jail and a $10,000 fine for those convicted of attacking police officers. The law specifically defines "law enforcement officer" to include various state and local agencies, such as the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Capitol Police, and park rangers. These stricter penalties take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers in Tennessee to give patients or their authorized representatives a complete copy of their medical records within ten working days of receiving a written request. It clarifies that while providers may offer a summary at their discretion, providing a summary does not fulfill the legal obligation to deliver the full record. The law applies to requests made by patients themselves or by attorneys in fact acting under a durable power of attorney for health care. This change amends existing state laws to ensure individuals receive the full extent of their medical history rather than just a condensed version.