Rep. Gary Hicks

Maddy summaryHB 728 extends Tennessee's nursing home annual assessment fee deadline from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 71, Chapter 5, changing the fee collection period to run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, instead of the previous 2024-2025 fiscal year. This directly affects nursing home facilities in Tennessee required to pay the annual assessment fee. The change delays the fee payment timeline for these facilities by one year, with the new period effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 35 adds the MidSouth development district to Tennessee's list of nine state-funded development districts. It sets a fixed $0.50 per capita state funding level (based on population data) for all districts, replacing prior calculation methods. Funding is structured in tiers: $295,000 for districts with 1-20 cents per capita assessments, $340,000 for 21-30 cents, and $370,000 for over 31 cents. This directly affects the nine development district boards and the Department of Economic and Community Development, which administers the funds.

Maddy summaryHB 480 requires that property deeds describing land for the first time must be prepared by a licensed land surveyor. This applies to most property sales and transfers but excludes deeds prepared by or for government agencies. The law amends Tennessee property and surveying codes to standardize how land descriptions are verified in new deeds.

Maddy summaryHB 1227 amends Tennessee higher education laws to affect public universities and students seeking technical training. It adds the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s executive director to the formal selection process for public university presidents and chancellors, removes an expiration date for this rule, and allows the commission to delegate certain approvals to the executive director. The bill also expands eligibility for the Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant to cover more non-degree credentials like industry certifications and apprenticeships. Additionally, it revises reporting requirements for the commission and mandates public forums for finalist candidates in leadership searches.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 643 is a Tennessee legislative resolution honoring Reverend Kenneth Paul Luckadoo, a Baptist pastor who served Gills Chapel Baptist Church for over 50 years and dedicated his life to community service and education. The resolution, passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor in April 2025, expresses condolences to his family and commemorates his decades of pastoral work, teaching in coal camp schools, and commitment to his congregation. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes his legacy through a ceremonial act of remembrance.

Maddy summaryHB 829 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 71, Chapter 5, changing the reporting requirements for the TennCare annual coverage assessment. It allows the TennCare division to submit reports more frequently than annually (rather than being limited to yearly submissions). This procedural change affects how often the division reports on coverage assessments but does not alter eligibility, benefits, or funding for TennCare recipients. The bill became law as Public Chapter 252 on April 29, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1420 authorizes Rogersville's city council to hold advisory, nonbinding referenda on local issues of "general and vital concern" for Rogersville residents. The bill allows the town's mayor and aldermen to direct elections on such matters to seek voter input, though these votes cannot compel official action. It requires a two-thirds vote approval from Rogersville's legislative body before taking effect, with certification to the state Secretary of State. The bill became law after Governor signing on April 9, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1000 modifies Tennessee's TennCare program by shortening the deadline for implementing the annual coverage assessment from seven to five days. This change directly affects the TennCare program and hospitals receiving directed payments, as it streamlines the timeline for assessing coverage. The bill's key provision is the specific deadline adjustment in TCA Title 71, Chapter 5, Section 71-5-2005(d)(2)(D). The bill became law as Public Chapter 115 on April 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1187 removes an obsolete requirement that a state official study prescription drug costs in nursing homes and report findings by January 2005. This procedural bill deletes a specific outdated provision (TCA § 71-5-195) from Tennessee law, which no longer applies. It does not create new policy, affect current healthcare programs, or change any resident care or costs. The bill solely eliminates a redundant administrative task from 2005.

Maddy summaryHB 727 requires Tennessee's Department of Human Services to annually report to relevant legislative committees on the effectiveness of its drug testing program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applicants. The bill mandates this report be submitted by December 1 each year, focusing on how well the drug testing program works within TANF. It updates state law (amending Titles 53, 68, and 71 of the Tennessee Code) to establish this reporting requirement. The bill does not change the drug testing program itself, only adding a transparency measure for lawmakers.