Rep. Mark White

Maddy summaryHB 930 allows counties participating in Tennessee's homebuyers' revolving loan program to end their involvement if they've lent more than their initial capitalization. Specifically, counties can terminate by notifying the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) and retain all funds in the loan pool, including the original capitalization and interest earned from repayments. This amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 23, directly affects participating counties managing these loan funds. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and provides counties with greater flexibility to manage their financial obligations under the program.

Maddy summaryHJR 627 is a ceremonial joint resolution commending James Boone II for his service as a legislative intern for Representative Mark White during the 2025 Tennessee General Assembly session. It recognizes his academic achievements (University of Memphis, legal studies major), community involvement (Tennessee Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, Empowered Men of Color), and contributions to legislative work. The resolution formally extends "best wishes for every future success" but has no binding effect or policy changes. As a procedural memorial, it does not alter laws or affect any group beyond acknowledging an individual's service.

Maddy summaryHB 408 redesignates the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) as the governing board for the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC), replacing its previous structure. It requires THEC's review committee to assist in developing or revising state financial aid programs, directly affecting how student aid policies are shaped. The bill terminates two existing programs: the Tennessee Teaching Scholars program and the Minority Teaching Fellows program, ending their funding and operations. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, shifting oversight of student financial aid and eliminating specific teacher training initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 401 amends Tennessee's education funding formula (TISA) to include pre-kindergarten students with special education needs and their "peer models" (typically developing children in the same classroom) as categories generating state funding. This change expands the existing K-12 student-based funding system to cover these pre-K students, ensuring their enrollment directly impacts TISA allocations. The bill defines key terms like "peer model" and clarifies that funding for these students won't reduce other state education funds for the school district. It applies to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, directly affecting pre-K programs serving students with disabilities in inclusive settings.

Maddy summaryHB 148 makes Tennessee's Tennessee Promise completion grant program permanent by creating a dedicated "Tennessee Promise completion grant special account" in the state treasury. It directly affects Tennessee Promise scholarship students who need financial support to complete their degrees, allowing the state to award up to $1,000 per semester toward completion grants. Key provisions include using funds from the special account or unexpended lottery-based grants (with a $250,000 annual cap), requiring colleges to assign coaches to eligible students starting in 2025-2026, and ensuring unspent funds carry forward annually without reverting to the general fund. The bill does not create new funding but formalizes existing program mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 876 clarifies that full-time employees of Tennessee's General Assembly (like legislative staff) can receive tuition and fee waivers for multiple continuing education courses at once, not just one course. This applies only to employees who regularly work more hours than standard full-time schedules for at least four weeks each year. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove a previous restriction, making it easier for these employees to pursue ongoing education while working extra hours. It directly affects legislative staff who meet the specific hours requirement, providing a clearer pathway to educational benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 409 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to make a standardized form for reporting student allergies publicly available on its website by July 1, 2025. This directly affects schools, families, and students with allergies by ensuring consistent access to the reporting form. The bill amends state law (TCA Title 49) to mandate this online posting, replacing prior language about form availability. The bill failed in the K-12 Subcommittee on March 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 877 extends Tennessee's temporary school turnaround program for priority schools (identified as needing intervention) to a permanent program administered by the Department of Education. It increases the maximum number of schools that can participate at any time from five to fifteen, requiring annual selection of up to five schools while ensuring geographic diversity across the state's grand divisions. Participating schools must develop and implement a turnaround plan for up to four years, with annual evaluations against state and federal (ESSA) performance standards. The Department of Education must annually report on the program's effectiveness, comparing outcomes of participating schools with non-participating schools and recommending successful strategies for replication.

Maddy summaryHB 637 removes an outdated requirement for the University of Memphis and its collaborators on the Memphis Research Consortium to submit annual progress reports to the Tennessee General Assembly. This bill deletes the obsolete reporting obligation from multiple sections of Tennessee law (Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 49, 58, 67, 68, and 71). The change directly affects the University of Memphis and its research partners, eliminating a redundant administrative task. The bill makes no new policy changes but streamlines existing requirements by removing unnecessary reporting mandates.