Rep. Jay Reedy

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 107 commends Elizabeth Spurling for her exemplary service as a legislative intern for Representative Jay Reedy during Tennessee's 2025 legislative session. The resolution recognizes her academic achievements (including Dean's List honors at Belmont University) and her role in supporting legislative work. Adopted unanimously by the Tennessee House (95-0), it is a formal expression of appreciation with no legal effect or policy changes. The resolution specifically highlights her transition to a congressional internship in Florida after the session.

Maddy summaryHB 522, the "Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act," requires all Tennessee public schools - including public charter schools - to implement a computer system for teachers to report early warning signs of student behavioral, safety, or health concerns (such as bullying, threats, or mental health issues). The system must automatically alert school threat assessment teams when such signs are reported and maintain data compliant with privacy laws like FERPA. Schools must also submit annual reports to the state education department detailing collected data and interventions. This bill directly affects every public school in Tennessee by mandating standardized reporting and threat assessment protocols previously only required for traditional school districts.

Maddy summaryHJR 366 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Martha Powell on her 90th birthday. It recognizes her as a beloved resident of McKinnon and celebrates her character, compassion, and kindness as valued contributions to her community and state. The resolution serves as a formal tribute without creating any legal obligations or policy changes. It was approved by both chambers and signed by the Governor on April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 367 is a ceremonial resolution honoring WQMV radio station on its 20th anniversary. It recognizes WQMV (AM 1060/FM 93.5) and its owners, Dean and Connie Duke, for providing 20 years of local news, sports coverage, and emergency information to Humphreys County residents. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it solely expresses legislative appreciation for the station's community service. This type of resolution is standard recognition with no binding effect or direct impact on regulations or funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Stewart County school bus driver Joyce Gregory, who was fatally shot in 2005 while transporting students to school. It commemorates her death and dedication to student safety without creating new laws or benefits. The resolution was formally adopted by Tennessee's legislature and signed by the governor in February 2025. It serves as a symbolic tribute to her service and sacrifice.

Maddy summaryHB 521 reduces the tax on beer from $4.29 to $2.00 per barrel and lowers the tax on bottled soft drinks from 1.2% to 0.9% of gross receipts. The bill redirects 50% of the beer tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs and 40% of the soft drink tax revenue to recycling grants for materials like aluminum and plastic. It requires annual reports on fund usage and sets a sunset provision: both taxes will be repealed by July 1, 2028, or upon enactment of mandatory container deposit laws. The bill directly affects beverage manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHB 299 expands Tennessee's tuition waiver program for dependents of veterans to include children and spouses of veterans who sustained a permanent 100% service-connected disability during military service. It directly affects dependent children under 23 and spouses of qualifying veterans who received U.S. government certification of their disability. Key provisions require proof of the disability determination, limit spouse eligibility to 10 years from the disability certification date, and apply the waiver to all state public universities starting July 2025. The bill modifies existing education code to extend this benefit to a new group of veterans' families, matching the existing waiver for dependents of veterans who died or were missing in action.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Joint Resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass laws that expand treatment options for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill specifically calls for the inclusion of hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside existing medications and counseling, citing clinical evidence that such treatments can improve recovery outcomes. It also requests that the federal government support research into additional therapies to better address these conditions. As a non-binding resolution, the measure does not change state law but serves as a formal request to the federal legislature to act on this issue.

Maddy summaryThis law updates Tennessee's rules to restrict the purchase and ownership of agricultural land by certain foreign groups and individuals. It specifically bans entities linked to designated foreign governments, countries under international arms embargoes, and specific terrorist organizations from buying or controlling farms and timberlands. The legislation defines "agricultural land" as property used for farming, ranching, or forestry outside city limits, while also clarifying that oil, gas, and minerals are not included. To enforce these limits, the law sets ownership thresholds, such as prohibiting any single prohibited party from holding a 33% interest or a group from collectively controlling 50% of a business. These changes apply to all types of legal entities, including corporations, partnerships, and trusts, that attempt to acquire such land.