Rep. Debra Moody

Maddy summaryHB 1733 makes it a criminal offense for school employees (including teachers, administrators, and staff at public or private schools) to intentionally bully or cyberbully students. It defines bullying as acts causing physical harm, fear, or substantial disruption to learning, whether on school grounds or off-campus. The key provision requires that school employees found to have committed bullying or harassment must face dismissal or suspension. This law amends Tennessee education codes to clarify these consequences and applies to violations occurring on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors Colleen Curtis for her long-term service to Representative Debra Moody and the Tennessee General Assembly. The resolution recognizes her decade-long tenure as a legislative assistant, highlighting her roles in the House Calendar and Rules Committee and the House Education Committee. It acknowledges her contributions to the mentor program, her community leadership, and her military service with the Tennessee State Guard. Ultimately, the bill serves as a commendation of her professionalism and dedication rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1679 updates Tennessee law for individuals under 21 caught illegally buying, possessing, or using fake age proof for tobacco, vaping, or nicotine products. For a first violation, courts can require up to 50 hours of community service, completion of an educational program about the dangers of these products, a small fine ($10-$50), or a 90-day informal adjustment. For a second or subsequent violation, courts must add probation for up to six months to the community service and educational program requirements. The bill applies to underage individuals and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1804 revises the charter of the Town of Mason to update how its local government operates. It specifies that the governing body consists of a Mayor and six Aldermen elected by residents, with new grounds for vacancies (e.g., moving away, felony conviction, or failing to perform duties). The bill establishes clear meeting rules requiring 48-hour notice with agendas, mandates annual ethics disclosures and recusal for conflicts of interest, and updates the oath of office. These changes directly affect Mason’s Mayor, Aldermen, town administrator, and attorney by defining their roles, procedures, and accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 1645 allows Tipton County's legislative body to create a specialized "Environmental Court" division within its general sessions court. This court would handle cases involving violations of local ordinances related to health, housing, fire, land subdivision, building, or zoning. Key provisions include granting judges authority to issue injunctions, order violators to correct issues at their own expense, and impose limited contempt penalties (up to $50 or 10 days in jail). The bill directly affects Tipton County residents and businesses subject to these local ordinances, with implementation requiring county legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2275 extends the waiting period for Tennessee school boards from 30 to 45 days between advertising property for sale (specifically for career and technical education buildings) and completing the sale. This change directly affects local school boards managing property sales related to career and technical education facilities. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 49-6-2006(c)(1) to implement this 15-day extension. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026, but does not alter the sale process beyond the extended waiting period.

Maddy summaryHB 1735 amends Tennessee law to allow any non-legislative member of the TISA review committee (such as the education commissioner or finance commissioner) to appoint a designee to serve on the committee, rather than restricting this authority solely to the director of the office of legislative budget analysis. The bill changes Section 49-3-113 of the Tennessee Code to expand appointment rights to all non-legislative committee members. This adjustment provides greater flexibility for committee members to delegate responsibilities without requiring the director’s approval. The bill does not alter the committee’s composition, purpose, or other duties related to the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement program.

Maddy summaryHB 181 creates an additional circuit court in Tennessee's 28th judicial district, covering Crockett, Gibson, and Haywood counties, effective September 1, 2025. The governor will appoint a judge to serve until September 2026, after which voters in the district will elect a judge for an initial eight-year term starting in 2026. This change directly affects residents of those three counties by expanding local judicial capacity. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16, Chapter 2, to establish this new court position and its appointment/election process.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution honors the Tabernacle Kinfolks Camp Meeting in Haywood County, Tennessee, as it celebrates its 200th anniversary in July 2026. The bill recognizes the Taylor family's long history of hosting Methodist gatherings, tracing their roots from Virginia in the 1700s to their settlement in Tennessee in 1826. It acknowledges the community's role in preserving Methodist traditions and fostering spiritual fellowship through their annual event. The resolution serves as a formal tribute to the family's legacy and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1734 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to record all interviews with children during investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, or dependency using audio or video. This applies to department employees conducting such interviews, with limited exceptions for technical issues or unforeseen circumstances that prevent recording. Recordings must be kept confidential under existing law, and the bill specifies that unrecorded interviews remain admissible as evidence in court. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends multiple Tennessee Code sections related to child welfare.