Rep. Mark White

Maddy summaryHB 2027 modifies Tennessee's school physical activity requirements to clarify that time spent in physical education classes counts toward daily activity goals if students are actively moving. It specifies that physical activity includes structured movement breaks (like short, active transitions between classes) but excludes walking between classes or time using electronic devices. The bill also grants teachers authority to prevent unstructured play during activity periods and assign behavior-focused activities to students. This applies to all public schools starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 91 is a symbolic resolution expressing the Tennessee General Assembly's support for the SREB Crisis Recovery Network. It directly supports Tennessee schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions by endorsing a regional network that provides long-term, specialized counseling services after crises like natural disasters, school shootings, or public emergencies. The resolution recognizes that schools often lack sustained mental health resources, especially in rural areas, and highlights the network’s role in deploying trained counselors to aid recovery for students, teachers, and communities over extended periods. This is a non-binding statement of support, not a law imposing new requirements.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 163 designates April 11, 2026, as Animation Day in Tennessee to recognize the animation industry's contributions to the state's cultural, educational, and economic landscape. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or requirements but aims to honor animation artists, educators, and the industry's role in supporting jobs and creative workforce development within Tennessee's growing creative economy.

Maddy summaryHB 2300 expands Tennessee's TISA funding formula to include students enrolled in the state's Medicaid program as "economically disadvantaged," directly affecting those students by making them eligible for additional state funding. The bill amends the definition of "economically disadvantaged" in education law to add Medicaid enrollment (subdivision C) alongside existing categories like homeless students or those qualifying for free school meals. This change ensures schools receive extra weighted funding for these students starting with the 2026-2027 school year. The policy shift aims to align state funding with federal eligibility criteria under the ESSA plan.

Maddy summaryHB 1976 requires private schools participating in Tennessee's Individualized Education Act (IEA) or Education Savings Account (ESA) programs to meet specific civic education standards to receive public funding. It mandates daily Pledge of Allegiance recitation, age-appropriate civics/American history instruction, prohibits certain teaching materials, bans promotion of foreign legal systems conflicting with U.S. or Tennessee constitutions, and allows military recruiting access on campus. Students enrolled in non-compliant schools lose eligibility for education freedom scholarships. The bill directly affects participating private schools and their students in these state-funded programs.

Maddy summaryHB 663 removes a discontinued pilot program from Tennessee law that previously aimed to improve parent-teacher engagement for kindergarten through second-grade students in public schools. The bill deletes Section 49-6-308 of Tennessee Code Annotated, which had established this program and expired in 2021. This is a procedural change to eliminate a now-defunct policy from the state code. The bill does not create new requirements or affect current school operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1416 would amend Germantown's city charter to require the mayor to serve as a full-time position, dedicating their full attention to city duties. It specifies that the mayor's salary must be set by city ordinance (overriding prior charter rules), and directly affects Germantown residents and its mayor. The bill requires voter approval via a binding referendum on May 2026 (or August 6, 2026, if a primary occurs), where voters will decide whether to adopt the change. This referendum process is a key mechanism, as the bill cannot take effect until the vote is certified.

Maddy summaryHB 1373 makes Tennessee’s school turnaround program permanent, replacing its temporary "pilot" status. It increases the maximum number of priority schools (those needing improvement) that can participate from 5 to 15 at any time while requiring geographic diversity in selection. Schools must develop annual turnaround plans, undergo yearly evaluations against state education goals, and report progress to lawmakers, with annual reports comparing outcomes for participating vs. non-participating schools. The law ensures schools exit the program after four years or once they meet state performance criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 504 amends Tennessee's Future Teacher Scholarship Act to support aspiring educators. It establishes a $5,000 annual scholarship for students enrolled in approved teacher preparation programs who agree to teach in Tennessee public schools for two consecutive years in high-need areas. The bill updates eligibility requirements (including residency and enrollment rules), requires a promissory note for the teaching commitment, and mandates repayment of half the scholarship amount per year if the teaching obligation isn't met. The program runs as a pilot from 2023 through 2030, with mandated evaluations to assess its effectiveness in increasing licensed teachers.

Maddy summaryHB 410 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to form a working group to study and develop best practices for teaching English Language Learners (EL students) in public schools (grades K-12). The group must include EL program directors, state board members, education officials, EL experts, and legislators, and will examine strategies like professional development, classroom techniques (e.g., scaffolding, collaborative learning), and family engagement resources. The working group must submit a report with recommendations to education committees by January 1, 2026, based on research of other states and input from experts. This bill directly affects EL educators and students in Tennessee public schools by focusing on improving instructional approaches through evidence-based strategies.