Rep. Jesse Chism

Maddy summaryHB 1367 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to inform individuals stopped during a traffic or pedestrian stop of the reason for the stop before questioning them about a potential crime or traffic violation. The rule takes effect January 1, 2026, but officers may withhold the reason if they believe it's necessary to protect life or property from an immediate danger. The bill directly affects people stopped by police and officers conducting such stops, aiming to clarify the interaction process. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 38, 39, and 40 to implement this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1366 amends Tennessee law to extend the deadline for TCRS (Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System) members to submit workers' compensation settlement documents. Specifically, it changes the requirement from submitting within 30 days to 45 days after a settlement becomes final. This bill directly affects current and former TCRS members who receive workers' compensation settlements. The key change is solely a procedural adjustment to the submission timeline, with no new benefits or eligibility criteria added. The bill does not alter retirement benefits or create new obligations beyond the extended deadline.

Maddy summaryHB 1362 moves a reporting deadline for Tennessee's Office of Business Enterprise from December 1 to January 1. The office must now submit its annual report on disadvantaged business support and community block grants by January 1 instead of December 1. This procedural change affects the Department of Economic and Community Development's reporting schedule. The bill does not alter funding policies or eligibility rules for disadvantaged businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 1365 changes the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Transportation to submit its annual report on litter prevention programs funded by a 0.4% tax on bottled soft drinks. The bill moves the submission date from March 31 to March 1 each year. The report must detail which programs received funds, the amounts allocated, and how the funds were used. This procedural change affects the Department of Transportation's reporting timeline but does not alter the tax or program requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1370 requires Tennessee county election commissions to include three non-binding questions about marijuana policy on the November 2026 ballot: legalizing medical marijuana, decriminalizing small possession, and legalizing recreational sales. The bill mandates the Secretary of State to compile and publish the results online and share them with lawmakers, though the questions have no legal effect. It directly affects voters who will answer the questions and county election offices that must administer them. The bill focuses solely on gathering public opinion data for legislative consideration, not on changing existing laws. (Note: This bill is pending introduction as of February 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 1364 creates a state-administered "small business recovery grant fund" to help eligible small businesses cover specific costs after unexpected events. The fund, managed by Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development, provides grants covering payroll, rent, insurance, and property repairs for businesses experiencing a substantial revenue decline due to qualifying events like violent acts or disruptive construction. To qualify, businesses must have under $1 million in annual revenue, employ no more than 15 people, maintain a single physical location, and prove disruption from events *not* covered by disaster declarations (excluding the pandemic). Grants are distributed through nonprofits or local governments - not directly to businesses - and are limited to costs incurred over a six-month period.

Maddy summaryHB 1363 allows individuals serving eight or more years in prison for a crime committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit documentation proving their sentence length, the crime's date, and the abuse, including two types of evidence (one from court records, police reports, or similar sources). If approved, the court may reduce their sentence, considering their prison behavior and participation in treatment programs, but not the original conviction. Requests can only be made starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis law requires the Tennessee Department of Children's Services to send a written summary of any new policies it adopts to specific state legislative committees. The department must submit these summaries by the end of each month and ensure they are included on the agenda for the following month's committee meetings. This process is designed to increase transparency by keeping lawmakers informed about new departmental rules. The requirement for this reporting will remain in effect until June 30, 2026.