Rep. Justin Pearson

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Resolution honors Reverend Al Green on the occasion of his eightieth birthday. The bill formally recognizes his contributions as a soul music icon and a devoted church pastor in Memphis. It expresses the House's appreciation for his artistic achievements and ministry service without enacting any new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to maintain copies of all original investigative materials - such as audio/video recordings, transcripts, documents, and digital media - with each case file. This applies to all materials generated by the TBI that are relevant to an investigation. The bill mandates this record-keeping for every TBI investigation, amending specific Tennessee Code sections to formalize the requirement. The policy change directly affects the TBI's internal procedures for handling case documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 1395 restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" once their sentence (including incarceration, probation, or parole) ends, without requiring them to pay restitution, court costs, or be current on child support. The bill removes previous barriers by automatically reinstating voting rights upon sentence completion, rather than requiring court approval or full citizenship restoration. It specifically affects individuals with such convictions who have served their sentences, clarifying that only voting rights - not full citizenship - are restored. The law updates voter registration forms and election codes to reflect this change, ensuring eligibility is determined solely by sentence completion. This policy change applies to convictions both before and after May 18, 1981.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally recognizes the 39th annual Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival in Memphis and honors organizers Yvonne and David Acey for their community leadership. The resolution acknowledges the festival's role in celebrating African heritage, providing cultural programming, and supporting local economic activity through its annual events. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official state acknowledgment of the festival's significance and the organizers' contributions. The bill was passed by the Tennessee legislature and signed by the Governor in March 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution honoring the Hamilton Middle School Wildcats boys' basketball team for winning the 2026 Memphis Shelby County Interscholastic Athletic Association Class A Championship. It recognizes the team's skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship during the 2025-2026 season and specifically acknowledges Jeremiah S. as the Most Valuable Player for his performance in the championship game. The resolution expresses appreciation for the players, coaches, families, and school community for their collective dedication and achievement. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official commendation from the Tennessee General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors Joe Calhoun, Operations Manager of the Ernest Withers Collection Museum & Gallery in Memphis, for his work preserving historical photographs of the Civil Rights Movement and other significant events in American history. The resolution formally recognizes his leadership in managing the museum's operations and ensuring that the photographic archives of Dr. Ernest Withers remain accessible to students, scholars, and the public. It does not change laws or policies but serves as an official commendation from the Tennessee General Assembly to acknowledge Calhoun's contributions to cultural preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Joint Resolution honors the Westwood High School boys' and girls' basketball teams for winning the District 16A Division Championship. The resolution recognizes the teams' hard work, teamwork, and perseverance throughout the season, specifically noting the boys' team's comeback victory against Mitchell High School in overtime. It serves as a formal commendation of the athletes, coaches, and supporters who contributed to this achievement. The bill does not create new laws or change policies; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of the teams' accomplishments.

Maddy summaryHB 2462 requires Tennessee governors, state legislators, and U.S. congressional representatives (and their spouses) to either sell or place certain investments - like stocks, commodities, or non-diversified funds - in a blind trust by October 1, 2026 (or within 90 days of taking office for new officials). It excludes diversified mutual funds, ETFs, treasury bonds, and retirement plan investments from this requirement. Officials must submit proof of compliance to the commissioner and secretary of state, with potential $1,000 daily fines for non-compliance. The bill aims to prevent conflicts of interest by separating public officials’ personal finances from investments that could be influenced by their duties.

Maddy summaryHB 2460 increases the annual exemption limit for occasional child care programs from 14 to 21 days per year. This change applies directly to organizations (like community centers or schools) offering "Parents' Night Out" or similar special events without needing full state licensing. The bill amends Tennessee child care licensing laws (TCA Titles 4, 9, 49, 50, 67, and 71) to allow these programs more flexibility in scheduling. It does not alter licensing requirements for regular child care providers. The policy change is purely procedural, adjusting a numerical threshold in existing regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2458, the "Public Education Investments Act," increases teacher base pay to $50,290 annually starting in 2026-2027, directly affecting all Tennessee public school teachers. It raises the weighted funding allocation for students in Title I-eligible schools from 5% to 10% per student, increasing support for schools serving high-poverty communities. The bill also boosts Tennessee middle college scholarships by 3% each year for 10 academic years, starting in 2026-2027, for full-time students in these programs. These changes aim to strengthen education funding through concrete salary, school, and scholarship adjustments.