Rep. Johnny Shaw

Maddy summaryHB 373 modifies Tennessee's tattoo artist licensing rules to allow professionals licensed in another state for 10+ years to obtain a Tennessee license without completing the state's standard 1-year apprenticeship. Instead, they must provide proof of two years' experience (using business licenses or tax records) and sign an apprenticeship completion form. The bill also requires licensed tattoo artists in Tennessee to verify apprentices met training requirements. It affects out-of-state tattoo artists seeking licensure and current licensed artists overseeing apprentices. The changes take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 540 is a memorial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor the late William "Bill" Curtis Siler of Silerton, who died on March 10, 2025. The resolution commemorates his life, including his 1956 U.S. Army service in England, 66-year marriage to Vonda Siler, community volunteer work with Loaves and Fishes, and decades of contributions to Hardeman County through agriculture, local businesses, and blood donations. It expresses the legislature's sympathy to his family and formally recognizes his legacy as a pillar of his community. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact and serves solely to memorialize Siler's life and service.

Maddy summaryHB 94 requires the state to cover the cost of autopsies for deceased inmates and any necessary transportation related to those autopsies. This bill directly affects Tennessee's correctional facilities and the state government, which would now be responsible for these expenses. The key provision amends Tennessee law to mandate state funding for autopsy examinations (as specified in TCA 41-21-221) and associated transport. The bill does not change inmate rights or procedures but shifts the financial responsibility from local entities to the state. It is currently pending in the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1045 clarifies Tennessee's insurance law to ensure life insurance and annuity proceeds designated for a policyholder's spouse, children, or dependent relatives remain exempt from creditor claims - including execution, attachment, seizure, and garnishment. It explicitly states that using these exempt funds for any purpose does not change their exempt status, removing ambiguity about the phrase "for the benefit of" and the word "all" in existing law. The bill directly affects Tennessee residents with such insurance policies who name family members as beneficiaries, providing legal certainty for retirement planning and financial security. This amendment updates the 1932-era law (TCA § 56-7-203) to align with modern creditor protection standards, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1191, the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," creates a Class E felony for recklessly discharging a firearm while operating or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle, and a Class A misdemeanor for recklessly brandishing or displaying a firearm in the same situation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Titles 39 (crimes) and 55 (vehicles), to establish these specific penalties. It directly affects drivers and passengers who engage in these firearm-related actions in vehicles, with the law scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1190 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee. It makes it a Class E felony to control a motor vehicle without the owner's permission (knowing they lack authorization), and a Class A misdemeanor to possess a firearm the person knows or should know was stolen. The bill specifies that vehicle control without permission will be punished as theft under existing law, while the firearm provision allows standard defenses for possession. These changes directly affect individuals who commit vehicle control without consent or possess stolen firearms, with penalties defined by the bill's new sections in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1012 removes absolute immunity for Tennessee attorneys who commit specific criminal acts while representing a client or prospective client. It directly affects attorneys who engage in perjury, subornation of perjury, tampering with evidence, destruction of records, or coercing witnesses during legal proceedings. The bill amends state law to clarify that such conduct is not protected by litigation privilege, making attorneys subject to criminal prosecution for these offenses. This change ensures attorneys can be held accountable under criminal law for misconduct that undermines court integrity, aligning with professional conduct rules requiring candor and honesty. The bill does not alter existing criminal penalties but removes a legal barrier to prosecuting attorneys for these specific violations.

Maddy summaryHB 93 requires Tennessee's state coordinator of elections to create rules regulating the spacing between campaign signs for candidates running for state and local offices. The bill directly affects political candidates and their campaigns by establishing minimum distance requirements for physical signage. Key provisions mandate that these rules be developed following standard administrative procedures and take effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation focuses solely on physical sign placement, not digital advertising or other campaign activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1013 clarifies that "for the benefit of" in Tennessee life insurance and annuity laws includes the named beneficiary (such as a spouse, child, or dependent relative), resolving legal uncertainty about who qualifies for protection. It directly affects policyholders and their designated beneficiaries by ensuring proceeds paid to them remain exempt from creditors' claims. The bill explicitly states that using these exempt funds does not change their protected status. This amendment updates a 1932 law to align with current beneficiary designations and plain language interpretations. The change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 95 requires that 50% of recordation taxes collected from real property transfers be returned annually to the county where the property is located. This applies to all real estate transfers occurring on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting counties that collect these taxes. The bill amends Tennessee law to redirect half of the revenue collected by county registers back to the respective counties, rather than keeping it at the state level. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, for all future property transfers.