Rep. Justin Lafferty

Maddy summaryHB 272 extends the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission's existence until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic termination. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-252 to update references to the commission's creation under Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 50. This is a procedural extension of an existing commission, directly affecting the commission's ongoing operations and the state's film/entertainment industry support structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Civil Defense and Disaster Compact to June 30, 2033, preventing its automatic termination. It affects state agencies and entities operating under this agreement by ensuring their continued authority to coordinate disaster response efforts. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-254 to update the expiration date and clarify related provisions. This change provides legal continuity for disaster planning and emergency management functions.

Maddy summaryHB 1225 requires sexual and violent sexual offenders in Tennessee to disclose their membership in churches, temples, or religious organizations, including full name, address, and phone number, as part of their registration. This information becomes public record and must be proactively shared by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) with any religious group the offender is a member of during registration or updates. The bill directly affects offenders who are registered members of religious organizations within Tennessee. It amends Tennessee law to add these requirements to offender registration forms and public disclosure rules, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1224 requires Tennessee’s TACIR (Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations) to study road safety for all users - including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, older drivers, teens, and transit riders - by identifying safety challenges per group and recommending behavior improvements and safety technologies. TACIR must submit its report with specific recommendations to transportation committee chairs in both legislative chambers and the legislative librarian by January 15, 2026, using existing agency resources. This bill does not fund new programs or change current laws; it mandates a study to inform future policy decisions. It directly affects TACIR’s work and indirectly informs legislative action on road safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1228 requires Tennessee's Board of Regents to provide its tenure policy in either electronic or printed format upon request. This bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 49-8-301(a), 8, 49, and 62 to establish this accessibility requirement. The policy directly affects the Board of Regents and public university faculty whose tenure decisions rely on the published policy. It does not change tenure standards or procedures, only how the existing policy document is made available to stakeholders. The bill is procedural, focusing on document distribution rather than policy content.

Maddy summaryHB 289 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to submit a report by January 1, 2026, to health committees in both legislative chambers. The report must include specific data on anesthesiologists practicing in the state, residency program participants, and graduates from anesthesiology programs, plus recommendations to increase their numbers. This bill directly affects the Department of Health (which must produce the report) and informs decisions about the state's healthcare workforce. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but was withdrawn on February 6, 2025, and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryHB 287 would have required Tennessee's Department of Correction to report deaths of people in custody to local state legislators within five business days (down from 10 days), instead of the current timeline. The report must include the facility name and be sent to the senator and representative for the district where the deceased person lived, based on their last known address in Tennessee. It would not apply to deaths of people whose last address was outside Tennessee. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn on February 6, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 248 extends the operating period of Tennessee's Human Rights Commission until June 30, 2029, by amending state code sections governing the commission. The bill specifically removes a reference to a sunset provision in Section 4-29-246(a) and adds the commission's creation under Title 4, Chapter 21 to Section 4-29-250(a). This change directly affects the commission's continued operation without altering its existing duties or structure. The primary effect is simply delaying the commission's expiration date to 2029, maintaining current oversight of human rights matters in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHB 263 extends the expiration date of the Tennessee Board of Court Reporting from its original sunset date to June 30, 2027. The bill amends two sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 20, Chapter 9) to update the board's operational timeline. This extension ensures the board continues overseeing court reporting standards and licensing requirements without interruption. The bill does not alter the board’s duties or create new regulations - it only delays the board’s automatic termination. The board directly affects court reporters and the legal system requiring certified court reporting services.

Maddy summaryHB 286 requires each Tennessee state agency head to complete periodic training to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 2007. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 5, by adding a new section mandating the training for agency heads. The key provision is the requirement for regular training sessions focused on regulatory compliance under the specified act. It directly affects state agency leadership by adding a procedural obligation to their administrative duties. The bill does not change substantive regulations but establishes a training requirement for agency heads to meet existing legal standards.