Rep. Tandy Darby

Maddy summaryHJR 956 is a symbolic resolution honoring Dr. Brooke Spivey Burress, a McKenzie optometrist named "Young Optometrist of the Year" by the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians in October 2025. It recognizes her professional achievements, family legacy in eye care at Spivey Eye Clinic, and community service in McKenzie, Tennessee. The resolution contains no policy changes or funding provisions - it merely expresses the General Assembly's commendation through a formal statement. As a procedural resolution, it does not affect laws, regulations, or individuals' rights. This is a ceremonial honor with no substantive legislative impact.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee bill proposes increasing the mineral severance tax in Weakley County from 15 cents to 20 cents per ton on sand, gravel, clay, and other minerals extracted for commercial use. The tax applies to all minerals removed from the ground within the county, regardless of where they are processed or sold, and becomes a lien on the extracted materials and the miner's property. However, the change will only take effect if Weakley County's legislative body approves it with a two-thirds vote, giving the local government final say on whether to adopt the higher rate.

Maddy summaryHJR 917 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the Westview High School football team for winning the 2025 TSSAA Division I, Class 3A State Championship. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it solely serves to publicly commend the team, coaching staff, and supporters for their undefeated season and championship victory. The resolution was passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor on February 27, 2026, as a symbolic gesture of recognition. It directly affects the Westview Chargers and their community through this formal acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 873 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Deputy Derrick R. Bonham of the Weakley County Sheriff's Department, who died while on duty on January 30, 2026. It commemorates his service, sacrifice, and character, expressing condolences to his family - including his wife, children, and parents - and recognizing his military background and dedication to public safety. The resolution has no policy impact; it solely serves to formally memorialize his life and legacy through official legislative acknowledgment. It was passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor on February 18, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 175 authorizes Tennessee's Fish & Wildlife Commission to create rules or issue proclamations allowing hunters to use drones solely for locating and recovering deer that have been wounded during lawful hunting. The bill amends Tennessee Code (Titles 39 and 70) to permit this drone use under commission oversight, requiring rules to follow standard administrative procedures. It directly affects hunters and the commission, restricting drone use to wounded-deer recovery during valid hunting activities. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not permit drones for general hunting or tracking.

Maddy summaryHB 760 authorizes healthcare providers to prescribe bronchodilator rescue inhalers to specific "authorized entities" (like schools, childcare centers, restaurants, and sports venues) for emergency use during asthma or respiratory distress episodes. It requires these entities to store inhalers in accessible, unlocked locations and train designated staff to administer them under pre-approved protocols. The bill also encourages all public schools and charter schools to maintain at least two inhalers in secure, accessible locations (e.g., offices or nurse’s stations) for student emergencies. Crucially, it provides legal protection for staff and entities who follow the protocols, shielding them from liability unless there was intentional disregard for safety. The law became effective May 2, 2025, after Governor’s signature.

Maddy summaryHB 437 allows counties that have adopted Tennessee's 1974 County Sheriff's Civil Service Law to undo that adoption. Specifically, it permits a county legislative body to rescind the law with a two-thirds vote, giving counties flexibility to exit the civil service system for sheriff's offices. This change directly affects counties that previously implemented the 1974 law, altering how they manage sheriff's department staffing and employment rules under state law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 8, Part 4, to add this rescission provision.

Maddy summaryHB 1414 changes the governance of the Henry County Hospital District Board of Trustees. It requires the Henry County Commission to appoint 3-7 board members (with two being county commissioners), establishes staggered four-year terms, and reduces regular board meetings from monthly to quarterly. The bill directly affects the hospital district's operations and its trustees, streamlining meetings and clarifying appointment rules. Key changes include the meeting frequency shift and updated appointment procedures, all aimed at administrative efficiency. The bill became law after approval by Henry County and the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1412 repeals an obsolete 1961 private law (Chapter 158) that governed a nursing home in Henry County, Tennessee. It directly affects Henry County by requiring its local government to approve the repeal with a two-thirds vote of its legislative body before taking effect. The bill removes outdated legal provisions related to the nursing home's acquisition and operation but does not create new policies. Approval must be certified to the Tennessee Secretary of State, and the repeal only becomes effective after this local approval process is completed.

Maddy summaryHJR 550 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Melinda Poteet Goode for her retirement after 41 years of public service with the Northwest Tennessee Development District and Human Resource Agency. It recognizes her role as executive director, her work improving quality of life for over 250,000 residents in rural Northwest Tennessee, and her community leadership. The resolution, passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor, expresses the General Assembly's gratitude but has no binding policy effect. It directly affects only the honoree, Melinda Goode, and serves as a formal tribute to her career.