Rep. Mark White

Maddy summaryHB 2182 requires Tennessee counties and municipalities to phase in funding reductions from population declines over five years instead of implementing them all at once. The bill mandates that the first year's cut cannot exceed 20% of the total projected loss, with additional 20% increments applied each subsequent year until full adjustment aligns with revised population data. This applies to annual revenue allocations based on population certifications from the Department of Economic and Community Development. If a jurisdiction's population increases during the phase-in period, the reduction schedule recalculates accordingly.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Resolution honors Jasmine McCutcheon for her work as a legislative intern supporting Representative Mark White. The measure formally recognizes her contributions during the 2026 session, highlighting her academic background and dedication to public service. Passed unanimously by the House, the resolution serves as a commendation rather than a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1977 establishes the "Tennessee Teacher Residency Program Act," creating a state-funded initiative to support new teacher training through residency programs. The bill provides grants of up to $44,500 per teacher resident annually (for up to 100 residents) to cover program costs, resident stipends, and mentor teacher stipends. Residency programs must include a full academic year of coursework combined with a full year of supervised classroom apprenticeship under a mentor teacher, and require participants to commit to teaching for three consecutive years in a public school or charter school after program completion. Failure to meet this teaching commitment requires reimbursement of stipends, and programs must report annual data on outcomes to the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryHB 661, the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act," requires judges to mandate counseling for individuals convicted of assault offenses. It specifies that defendants must complete certified batterer's intervention programs (minimum 26 weeks, 3 hours per session, with a 6:1 participant-to-counselor ratio) or substance abuse treatment as part of sentencing. The bill also mandates annual 12+ hour domestic violence training for judges and court staff. These provisions directly affect assault defendants and court personnel, focusing on rehabilitation and consistent judicial handling of domestic violence-related cases.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Joint Resolution honors and commends the Coca-Cola Company and its local bottlers for their support of America250, the national celebration marking the United States' 250th anniversary. The resolution recognizes the company's long history in Tennessee dating back to the early 1900s and acknowledges contributions from specific bottling operations across the state. It formally expresses gratitude for Coca-Cola's economic investments, philanthropy, and role in fostering community engagement and national pride. The document serves as a ceremonial recognition rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1978 modifies Tennessee's sales tax exemption process for warehouse construction by allowing the commissioner of revenue to issue exemption certificates for qualified building materials in both paper and electronic formats. This change directly affects businesses constructing, expanding, or renovating new or expanded warehouse or distribution facilities in Tennessee. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Chapter 6, specifically adding electronic certification as an option without altering the eligibility criteria for the tax exemption. It is a procedural update focused solely on administrative efficiency for tax exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1975 requires Tennessee public high schools (grades 11-12) to integrate free, industry-aligned career readiness tools into at least one career technical education course starting in 2026-2027. These tools help students earn nationally recognized credentials in soft skills, employability, and digital literacy at no cost, with successful completion granting up to three elective credits toward graduation. The bill also establishes a pilot program (starting 2027-2028) in 10 school districts to gather employer feedback on credential relevance and includes a $100 micro-grant for students earning three credentials. It mandates teacher training on using these tools and requires the state to report annual data on student credential attainment by school district and demographic group.

Maddy summaryHB 704 adds William R. Moore College of Technology as an eligible institution for two state financial aid programs: the Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant and Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant. It specifies that students at this college enrolled in qualifying programs will receive scholarships covering the average tuition and fees at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), minus other gift aid like Pell Grants or state scholarships. This change directly affects students at William R. Moore College seeking these grants, aligning their aid calculation with TCAT rates rather than their institution’s specific costs. The bill amends Tennessee’s education code to implement these eligibility and funding adjustments, effective for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summaryHB 2011 extends the deadline for the advisory committee on innovations in K-12 education to submit its final report from December 31, 2025, to June 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the committee established under Chapter 426 of the Public Acts of 2025, giving it an additional five months to complete its work. The key provision amends the existing law by changing the deadline date and specifies that the committee will cease to exist on June 1, 2026. The change is procedural and does not alter the committee's responsibilities or scope.

Maddy summaryHB 503 modifies two education requirements in Tennessee law based on state funding availability. It exempts school districts and public charter schools from assigning literacy tutors to third-grade students not proficient in English if the state lacks sufficient funds for the program. It also requires that schools only participate in a learning loss remediation program when the state has allocated adequate funding for it. The bill does not change educational standards but ties program implementation directly to state budget decisions.