Rep. Gary Hicks

Maddy summaryHB 1827 requires county or city legislative bodies to approve the location of new quarries or digital asset mining facilities at a public meeting. It mandates 21 days' notice published in local newspapers, posted online, and mailed to residents within 500 yards of the proposed site. The bill defines "digital asset mining facilities" as energy-intensive blockchain operations using over 1 megawatt annually and "quarries" as mineral extraction sites (excluding coal mining). This law applies to all new facilities constructed on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors William Lewis Jenkins with a resolution recognizing his receipt of the Hawkins County Republican Party Lifetime Achievement Award. It highlights his extensive public service career, which includes roles as a state legislator, Speaker of the House, TVA board member, circuit court judge, and U.S. Representative. The document serves as a formal commendation of his contributions to Tennessee and the nation rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 98 increases state funding for Tennessee human resource agencies by adjusting the matching formula for local contributions. It sets tiered state match amounts based on local per capita assessments: $295,000 for 1-20 cents, $340,000 for 21-30 cents, and $370,000 for 31+ cents per capita. This directly affects local human resource agencies and the counties or municipalities that fund them through local assessments. The bill changes how state funds are allocated to support human services delivery, with higher local contributions triggering larger state matches.

Maddy summaryHB 767 exempts from Tennessee business tax the sales of prescription drugs or medicines that exceed the Medicare Part D specialty tier cost threshold for 2025 plan years, as set by federal Medicare. It also exempts related services like preparation, storage, administration, patient education, and post-sale monitoring for these drugs. The bill directly affects pharmacies and healthcare providers selling high-cost prescription drugs that meet the Medicare threshold. This tax exemption takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee tax code sections 67-4-708 and 67-4-712.

Maddy summaryHB 200 reduces the requirement for law enforcement officers to have two credible witnesses present when destroying illegal distillery equipment to just one witness. This bill directly affects Tennessee law enforcement officers and property owners involved in illegal distilling operations by changing the procedural step for equipment destruction. The key provision amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57, Section 57-9-101(c), to replace "two (2) credible witnesses" with "one (1) credible witness." The change streamlines a specific administrative step without altering the underlying legal standards for equipment destruction.

Maddy summaryHJR 995 is a ceremonial resolution commending Tennessee credit unions for their three-year, $1.8 million financial commitment to the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission (TNFLC). It recognizes their support of the TNFLC, which provides financial education programs like Money Week, teacher training, and community scholarships to improve financial literacy across Tennessee. The resolution does not create new laws or obligations - it solely expresses formal gratitude for the credit unions' existing contributions to financial education initiatives. This is a symbolic gesture with no direct policy impact on citizens or institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 1910, the "Supporting Troopers through Advanced Retirement (STAR) Act," creates an alternative retirement plan for Tennessee state troopers. It allows current troopers hired before July 1, 2026, to elect into the STAR plan by October 2026 (paying a one-time 5% buy-in), while new troopers hired on or after that date automatically join. The plan offers enhanced benefits: 3% of average final compensation per year of service (max 75% at 25 years), with vesting at 5 years (pre-2026 hires) or 10 years (post-2026 hires). Troopers can also defer retirement up to eight additional years while their benefits accrue in an interest-bearing account, with contributions ceasing after 25 years of service.

Maddy summaryHB 201 requires Tennessee's TennCare program to reimburse ambulance services at specific rates: 67.5% of Medicare's rate for emergency transports and 100% for nonemergency transports. It directly affects public and private ambulance providers operating in Tennessee that bill for services to TennCare recipients. The bill amends Tennessee law to set these reimbursement levels based on existing Medicare payment standards for participating providers. This policy change ensures ambulance services receive minimum payment rates aligned with federal Medicare benchmarks. The bill is currently under review by the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee.

Maddy summaryHB 1828 requires healthcare professionals in Tennessee - including doctors, nurses, and osteopathic physicians - to undergo a criminal background check when renewing their licenses. The bill amends state law (Tennessee Code Titles 38 and 63) to mandate that licensing boards initiate these checks for all renewal applications. Applicants must pay the associated costs, which align with existing payment procedures for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. This requirement takes effect for renewal applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2445 requires Tennessee school districts (Local Education Agencies or LEAs) to annually list all school buildings using natural gas for utilities (like heating or cooling) and the gas suppliers serving them. This list must be posted on each district's website by October 1 each year. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate this transparency for all public school facilities utilizing natural gas. It directly affects all Tennessee school districts and aims to provide clear, public information about natural gas usage in schools.