Rep. Mary Littleton

Maddy summaryHB 1878 allows Tennessee industrial development corporations to merge with other corporations using procedures already established for public benefit corporations under Tennessee law (Title 48, Chapter 61). This change directly affects industrial development corporations, enabling their boards to pursue mergers more efficiently to support economic development goals. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 7-53-103 and 48-61-101 to clarify this merger authority. It does not create new programs or impact specific communities or industries beyond these corporations' operational flexibility. The legislation focuses solely on streamlining the legal process for corporate mergers within the existing nonprofit framework.

Maddy summaryHB 2080 changes the governance of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) by replacing its current board with a new nine-member board appointed by the governor (3 members), Senate Speaker (3 members), and House Speaker (3 members), effective July 1, 2026. The bill requires that certain information about the corporation’s CEO, including compensation and employment details, be subject to public records requests under Tennessee law. It also sets a termination date for the TELC on June 30, 2030, ending the corporation’s operations. The new board will assume all existing authority and contracts without interruption after the transition.

Maddy summaryHB 2079 creates a new Class E felony offense for intentionally influencing the outcome of an event (like a sports game or election) while involved in a prediction market contract where you benefit from the result. It directly affects individuals using platforms where people trade bets on future events, such as sports or political outcomes. The law defines "prediction-market" as any platform enabling contracts based on unknown future events. Violating this would be punishable as a Class E felony, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026, if passed. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1455 would make it a Class A felony in Tennessee to knowingly train artificial intelligence systems that encourage suicide, criminal homicide, or develop emotional relationships with users. The bill specifically targets AI developers who create systems simulating human interaction (e.g., voice, appearance) or providing false mental health support, while excluding standard customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants. Violators face criminal charges and civil lawsuits allowing victims to seek $150,000 in damages plus emotional distress compensation. The law directly affects AI developers and companies creating consumer-facing chatbots, not end-users.

Maddy summaryHB 2081 amends Tennessee laws related to child abuse and sexual abuse by adding the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services to the Second Look Commission (Section 1). It updates legal definitions to include "strangulation" in abuse statutes (Sections 7, 8) and requires law enforcement officers to refer victims of child sexual abuse to child advocacy centers for forensic interviews (Section 9). The bill also expands the commission’s access to state agency records for its work (Section 6). These changes directly affect child protective teams, law enforcement, and child advocacy centers handling abuse cases. Most provisions take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1787 (Criminal Offenses) increases penalties for patronizing prostitution when the victim is in specific vulnerable categories. It raises the offense to a Class B felony if the victim is a law enforcement officer posing as a minor or a person with an intellectual disability, and to a Class A felony if the victim is under 18. The bill also mandates at least 7 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for patronizing prostitution within 1.5 miles of a school. These changes apply to cases currently treated as trafficking for commercial sex acts under Tennessee law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2013 requires law enforcement officers to arrange for blood or urine testing of psychotropic drugs at a hospital when they have probable cause to believe a person committed a "mass shooting" (defined as causing injury to four or more people or attempting to kill four or more). The law mandates hospitals to collect samples via qualified medical personnel (like doctors or nurses) and send them to the health science center for analysis. The health science center must study drug interactions from the samples and include findings in quarterly reports to lawmakers. This applies to mass shootings occurring on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1354 requires businesses selling smoking paraphernalia (like pipes or vaporizers) to display a specific sign about the legal age for purchase, as mandated by the Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco, Smoking Hemp, and Vapor Products Act. This replaces a previous option allowing sellers to use an older tobacco warning sign that was required before April 22, 1994. The law applies to all retailers distributing such products in Tennessee and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects vape shops, smoke shops, and similar businesses by standardizing signage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors Vice President Anna Beth Thompson and the Student Government Association at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on the occasion of the organization's 105th anniversary. The measure recognizes Thompson's election as vice president for the 2026-2027 academic year, noting that she and the current president are the first two women to hold these top offices in the group's history. It also acknowledges the high voter turnout in the recent student government election, where Thompson received 63.8 percent of the votes cast. The resolution directs the preparation of a ceremonial copy to be presented to the honorees as a formal gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally recognizes and honors Dickson County Mayor Robert "Bob" Rial on the occasion of his retirement. The resolution acknowledges his service as county mayor from September 2010 through August 2026 and highlights his extensive background in finance and local government. It lists numerous specific achievements during his tenure, such as resolving a major federal lawsuit, constructing new public facilities, and promoting economic development. The text serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies.