Rep. Karen Camper

Maddy summaryHB 2051, the "Tennessee Safe Stores and Staffed Stores Act," requires drug and food retail stores (over 15,000 sq. ft. for food stores or 85,000 sq. ft. with 10% food sales) using self-checkout to maintain specific staffing ratios and transaction limits. It mandates at least one staffed checkout station for every four self-checkout stations, limits self-checkout to 15 items per transaction, and prohibits purchasing age-restricted items (like alcohol/tobacco) or security-tagged merchandise at self-checkout. Stores must post clear signage about customer rights and assign employees to monitor self-checkout operations continuously. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $100 per employee per violation, with additional daily penalties for ongoing noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2054 establishes a "Clean Transition Tariff" (CTT) requiring large energy users - such as data centers, AI facilities, and crypto operations consuming 25 megawatts or more - to pay a voluntary premium for new clean energy infrastructure. This ensures these facilities fund their own grid upgrades and new clean power generation, preventing costs from being shifted to residential and small business customers. The bill mandates that large users cover all proportional costs for transmission, distribution, and reliability upgrades needed to serve their new electricity demand. It also requires utilities to enforce this tariff structure and report annually on cost allocations, protecting smaller ratepayers while supporting grid reliability. The CTT must provide 100% clean power for the facility’s new demand without impacting other customers’ rates.

Maddy summaryHB 2052 requires large food retail stores (over 15,000 sq ft or over 85,000 sq ft with 10% food sales) to use physical price displays like stickers or signs instead of digital electronic shelves. It prohibits personalized algorithmic pricing that uses consumer data - such as protected class information (e.g., age, race, gender) or behavior-tracking data - to set different prices for individual shoppers. The bill defines "surveillance pricing" as using electronic surveillance (e.g., cameras, sensors) to customize prices based on personal attributes. These changes directly affect major grocery chains and food retailers operating in Tennessee, aiming to prevent data-driven price discrimination.

Maddy summaryHB 2053 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to create a database tracking demographic information (like race/ethnicity) and treatment options for women diagnosed with uterine fibroids, to be operational by January 1, 2027. The department must also publish educational resources on its website highlighting racial/ethnic groups at higher risk for uterine fibroids and non-hysterectomy treatment options. All data will be maintained confidentially under health privacy laws. This bill directly affects women with uterine fibroids by improving access to condition-specific information and care options.

Maddy summaryHB 688 requires Tennessee's Health Commissioner to create and maintain a statewide stockpile of essential medicines and medical supplies for emergencies like natural disasters, public health crises, or mass casualty events. This stockpile directly affects healthcare providers, hospitals, and rural or medically underserved communities by ensuring priority access during emergencies. Key provisions include establishing guidelines for procurement and distribution, consulting with emergency management officials, and allowing contracts with private vendors to manage a "virtually sequestered" buffer stock. The bill mandates that distribution plans specifically address needs in underserved areas and prioritize facilities serving vulnerable populations during shortages.

Maddy summaryHB 2050 would amend Tennessee campaign finance law to allow state officeholders (such as legislators) to use unspent campaign funds for home security equipment and monitoring services at their personal residences. The bill explicitly adds these expenses as permitted uses under existing rules, covering both hardware/software (like cameras and alarms) and professional monitoring services. It does not create new funding but expands how leftover campaign money can be spent. This change applies only to unexpended campaign funds already held by officeholders.

Maddy summaryHB 732 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to create or approve a policy allowing students to retake state-mandated TCAP tests (including end-of-course exams) if test administration is interrupted by an unavoidable event like a natural disaster or other circumstance beyond the school's control. This policy would directly affect students whose tests were disrupted and schools administering the assessments. The bill mandates that the department develop or approve a clear procedure for these retakes, replacing the current lack of formal guidance for such situations. The policy would apply starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1276 removes a reporting requirement for Tennessee universities. It deletes a provision that previously mandated the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association, and the state board of regents to submit annual reports by April 1, 2009, detailing efforts to prevent copyright infringement on school networks. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to eliminate this specific reporting obligation. This change directly affects Tennessee's public and private higher education institutions by relieving them of this administrative requirement. The bill is procedural, removing an outdated mandate that had already expired.

Maddy summaryHB 698 requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to submit comprehensive lists of underutilized or vacant properties to the Department of Human Services and Comptroller. It grants child care facilities (owned by individuals, not corporations) a right of first or second refusal to lease or purchase such properties at fair market value for child care services. The bill mandates fair market value be determined by two independent appraisals and specifies that leased properties must be used exclusively for child care, with maintenance and capital repairs responsibilities clearly defined. This directly affects non-corporate child care providers seeking affordable space within LEA districts.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (HJR 877) confirms Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Dewey Branstetter, Jr., to the Tennessee Ethics Commission, as required by state law. It does not change any policies but formally approves his appointment, which will expire on December 31, 2028, following the standard legislative confirmation process requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers. The resolution affects the Ethics Commission by adding Branstetter to its membership, where he will serve on matters related to ethics oversight for state officials.