Rep. Debra Moody

Maddy summaryHB 1422 would allow the Town of Mason to appoint a town administrator (subject to local approval) who would handle administrative duties previously performed by the mayor. The bill amends the town's charter to require the administrator to manage town business, recommend service improvements, oversee personnel, maintain property records, and handle contracts and disbursements - reporting directly to the town board instead of the mayor. The mayor would retain voting rights on the board but lose executive duties like signing ordinances and managing day-to-day operations. The bill requires a two-thirds vote from Mason's legislative body to take effect. This is a procedural change to the town's internal governance structure.

Maddy summaryHB 2183 extends the deadline for courts to schedule hearings on motions to freeze a criminal defendant's funds in cases involving financial exploitation of elderly or vulnerable adults. The bill changes the timeframe from 10 to 20 days after a motion is filed, specifically for cases where the defendant took over $5,000 in property. This applies to criminal proceedings pending restitution for victims, giving courts more time to act before the hearing. The change directly affects courts handling these elder abuse cases and aims to streamline the process for returning assets to victims. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 39-15-502(c)(4) and is pending legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1421 establishes litter abatement and control requirements for Tipton County, Tennessee, directly affecting all residents, businesses, property owners, and event organizers within the county. It requires refuse to be disposed of in closed, secured containers (with specific rules for wet garbage and hazardous materials), prohibits dumping in streams or public areas, mandates clean construction sites, and bans littering on private property or public rights-of-way. Violations carry fines of $25-$50 per day until corrected, and the law requires approval by a two-thirds vote of Tipton County’s legislative body to take effect. The bill focuses on concrete disposal rules and enforcement, not broader environmental outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 787 creates a study committee to examine the feasibility of implementing a "distance to drive" program for DUI offenders in Tennessee. This program would allow individuals with suspended or revoked driver licenses - due to DUI convictions - to have their licenses reinstated by meeting court objectives and completing requirements set by the Department of Safety. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (16, 39, 40, 55) to establish this committee and adjust a license reinstatement deadline. It does not create the program itself but studies whether it could be implemented to help DUI defendants regain driving privileges.

Maddy summaryHB 1010 amends Tennessee law to allow a district attorney general (DAG) to, with the consent of a DAG from another judicial district, temporarily appoint that other DAG or their assistant to handle specific cases involving the removal of public officials. This applies only to proceedings under Chapter 47 of Title 8 (governing officer removals) in the district where the local DAG has authority. The appointment is limited to defined cases and requires explicit consent from the other district’s DAG, creating a temporary cross-district collaboration mechanism. This change does not alter permanent jurisdiction but provides flexibility for handling specific removal cases without permanent authority transfers.

Maddy summaryHB 1009 increases property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners in Tennessee by raising the home value threshold for tax exemption from $175,000 to $250,000. This change directly affects disabled veterans who own their primary residence, allowing them to qualify for relief on a larger portion of their home's market value. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 67-5-704, to update this threshold, meaning veterans with homes valued up to $250,000 will receive tax relief where previously only homes up to $175,000 qualified. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1067 amends Tennessee law to shorten the deadline for certain state employees to file appeals against adverse employment actions. Specifically, it changes the required filing period from 14 calendar days to 10 business days after an employee becomes aware (or should have reasonably become aware) of the action. This applies directly to employees in Tennessee's "preferred service system" who face employment decisions like termination or demotion. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 8-30-318 to implement this time reduction. The change affects the procedural timeline for appeals but does not alter the substantive rights or processes for employees.

Maddy summaryHB 180 expands the eligibility for property owners to petition a Tennessee municipality to remove land from city boundaries (deannexation). It directly affects owners of agricultural land annexed without a referendum or owner request, as well as owners who are direct descendants (children, grandchildren, or siblings) of the original owner or businesses majority-owned by qualifying descendants. The bill adds these new categories to the existing criteria, while requiring that deannexation not create isolated unincorporated areas (except for land under conservation easements). The law would allow these property owners to formally request deannexation through municipal processes.

Maddy summaryHB 345 amends Tennessee law (TCA Section 39-15-203) to require the Department of Health to submit annual reports on abortion procedures and fetal tissue disposition to two specific legislative committee chairs: the Senate Judiciary Committee chair and the House committee chair overseeing criminal justice. These reports must be submitted quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 each year. The bill directly affects the Department of Health (as the reporting entity) and those two legislative committee chairs (as the recipients of the reports).

Maddy summaryHB 147 modifies Tennessee law to require tourism development authorities to file their annual audit and report with both the municipality that granted them permission and every state legislator representing that municipality. The bill updates existing requirements in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7 and Title 67, adding legislators as direct recipients of these documents. It also explicitly allows authorities to file these reports electronically, streamlining the process. This change directly affects tourism development authorities and state legislators representing affected municipalities.