Rep. Joe Towns

Primary HB 1100

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Food and Food Products - As introduced, prohibits the manufacture, sale, or delivery, holding, or offering for sale in this state of any food that contains an antibiotic, or a vaccine or vaccine material, unless the food labeling contains a conspicuous notification of the presence of the antibiotic, vaccine, or vaccine material in the food; defines food that contains a vaccine or vaccine material as a drug for purposes of the Tennessee Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 53.

Maddy summaryHB 1100 requires food manufacturers and sellers in Tennessee to clearly label any food containing antibiotics, vaccines, or vaccine materials. It prohibits selling such food without this conspicuous label and redefines these products as "drugs" under Tennessee law. The bill directly affects food producers, retailers, and distributors operating within the state. These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 53-1-102(14) and 53-1-103(a) to implement the labeling requirement and regulatory classification.

In committee Feb 11, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 2943

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Criminal Offenses - As enacted, expands the application of certain indecent exposure offenses by including victims from 13 to 17 years of age; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 68.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the age range for indecent exposure laws in Tennessee to include victims who are 18 years old or younger, rather than just those 13 to 17. It directly affects individuals accused of exposing themselves to minors by raising the maximum age of a protected victim from 17 to 18. The law applies to any prohibited conduct that happens on or after July 1, 2024.

In committee May 31, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 2864

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Naming and Designating - As enacted, designates Memphis barbecue as an official state food. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Memphis barbecue as the official state food of Tennessee. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state code that formally recognizes barbecue in this capacity. The change applies to the state's list of official symbols and does not alter any laws regarding the sale or preparation of food.

In committee May 13, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 2839

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Garnishments and Executions - As enacted, makes various revisions to provisions related to property that is exempt from execution, seizure, or attachment. - Amends TCA Section 26-2-111.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Tennessee laws regarding which retirement and pension funds can be protected from being seized by creditors. It clarifies that certain payments from stock bonuses, pensions, and annuities remain exempt from garnishment unless they are already unprotected under existing rules. The legislation specifically addresses situations where individuals can choose to receive their retirement benefits as a lump sum or in short-term installments before age fifty-eight, noting that such assets are not exempt in those cases. Additionally, the bill reaffirms that qualified retirement plans under federal tax codes remain protected from creditors unless specific exceptions apply. These changes directly affect individuals in Tennessee who rely on retirement income and face debt collection actions.

In committee May 9, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 2942

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Taxes, Exemption and Credits - As introduced, provides a working families' tax refund for state and local sales and use tax paid on or after January 1, 2024, by low-income taxpayers who are eligible for the federal earned income tax credit. - Amends TCA Title 67.

In committee Apr 10, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 2863

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, increases, from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony, the penalty for a second or subsequent offense of aggravated reckless driving; requires a person who commits a second or subsequent offense of aggravated reckless driving to attend a driver education course and to have their license suspended for at least six months; requires law enforcement to seize a person's vehicle and crush, destroy, or sell the vehicle upon a second or subsequent offense of aggravated reckless driving. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

In committee Apr 10, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 2840

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

State Inmates - As introduced, increases the education good time sentence reduction credit from 60 days to 90 days. - Amends TCA Title 41.

In committee Apr 3, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 2837

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires a court to order the revocation of a person's driver license if the person is convicted of the offense of reckless endangerment involving the display of a firearm from within a motor vehicle and the person has a prior conviction for the same offense; requires a court to order the seizure and forfeiture of a person's motor vehicle used in the commission of the offense if the person is convicted of the offense of reckless endangerment involving the display of a firearm from within a motor vehicle and the person has two or more prior convictions for the same offense. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40, Chapter 33 and Title 55.

In committee Apr 3, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 2838

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, increases from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony the penalty for a second or subsequent offense of aggravated reckless driving; requires a person who commits a second or subsequent offense of aggravated reckless driving to attend a driver education course; requires law enforcement to seize a person's vehicle upon a second or subsequent offense of aggravated reckless driving. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

In committee Apr 3, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 1470

In committee · Tennessee House · Lead sponsor

Consumer Protection - As introduced, enacts the "Consumer Wheelchair Repair Bill of Rights Act." - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18.

In committee Mar 19, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track