Rep. Kevin Vaughan

Maddy summaryHB 2384 extends the timeframe financial service providers can delay or refuse non-securities transactions suspected of financial exploitation from five to ten business days. The bill directly affects consumers who may face temporary holds on their transactions due to suspected exploitation claims. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 45-2-1203(e)(2) and related provisions in Titles 45 and 47 to implement this change. The law would require providers to act within the new 10-day window before reinstating transactions, aiming to balance consumer protection with operational flexibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1935 prohibits local city or county tax collectors from requiring property taxpayers to pay the full tax amount while an appeal of their property assessment is pending before county or state boards of equalization. This directly affects homeowners and property owners who have filed tax appeals but are still waiting for a resolution. The bill’s key provision states that officials cannot demand full payment during this active appeal period, ensuring taxpayers aren’t forced to pay disputed amounts before their case is reviewed. It amends Tennessee’s property tax code to clarify this process without creating new fees or penalties. The bill focuses on streamlining the appeals process by preventing premature tax collection.

Maddy summaryHB 542 requires utilities (including county or municipal water systems) to review development plans for water, electricity, or gas infrastructure within 30 days. If a utility misses this deadline, developers can hire a third-party examiner to certify compliance with codes and submit documentation to the utility. The utility must then approve the plans within 10 business days, refund fees for delays, or provide deficiency reports. The bill also caps utility inspection fees for approved projects at 2% of development costs and mandates utilities to publish approved material specifications. This directly affects developers seeking faster approvals and utilities managing infrastructure reviews.

Maddy summaryHB 543 prevents cities, towns, and utility districts from ending wastewater service outside their official boundaries if they've provided that service for 25 years or more, as long as the system maintains sufficient capacity. The bill requires a Tennessee advisory commission study to confirm capacity levels before any discontinuation can occur. It also mandates that utility systems must connect property owners to wastewater service when specific requirements are met. This law directly affects communities and property owners relying on long-standing sewer infrastructure beyond municipal limits.

Maddy summaryHB 541, now law as Public Chapter 437, requires Tennessee's environmental agency to align state wetland regulations with federal standards. It prohibits the state from classifying or regulating property as a wetland unless it is federally classified as such, directly affecting property owners and developers seeking permits. The bill also mandates annual reports to state leaders on compensatory mitigation (replacing damaged wetlands) for permits issued the previous year. Additionally, it establishes four new categories for regulating isolated wetlands, though specific definitions aren't detailed in the provided text. The law aims to reduce regulatory overlap between state and federal wetland rules.

Maddy summaryHB 194 requires Tennessee's higher education commission to produce a report by December 31, 2025, evaluating required tuition discounts and fee waivers at public colleges and universities. The report must assess how these discounts are utilized, the state's financial support, and their impact on student academic outcomes. It will be submitted to the governor and the chairs of the education committees in both legislative chambers. This bill mandates a data-driven review of current discount programs without changing existing tuition policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1066 requires Tennessee's Department of Human Services to establish a formal process for public property managers to submit complaints about blind vendors operating vending facilities through the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. If three complaints are filed about the same vendor at a specific location within six months, the department must assign a new manager to that location. The bill directly affects blind individuals licensed to operate vending facilities on public property and the state entities managing those properties. It does not change program eligibility or licensing rules but creates a clear threshold for replacing vendors based on repeated complaints.

Maddy summaryHB 612 modifies Tennessee's water pollution permitting rules to exempt certain applicants from requiring compensatory mitigation. Specifically, if a project applicant would qualify for a general permit (covering routine activities) but is disqualified solely due to the project's size, the Department of Environment and Conservation must exempt them from needing to replace lost wetland or aquatic habitat. This applies to all areas covered by aquatic resource alteration permits, not just wetlands. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, streamlining permits for smaller projects that otherwise meet general permit criteria. This directly affects developers, contractors, and landowners seeking permits for water-related projects.

Maddy summaryHB 913 requires a three-judge panel to review legal challenges claiming a proposed charter amendment for a home rule municipality violates the Constitution or state law before it can appear on a ballot. It directly affects home rule municipalities (cities with local governing charters), prohibiting any charter amendment deemed unconstitutional or illegal from being placed on election ballots. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 20-18-101 (creating the three-judge panel requirement for such challenges) and 6-53-105 (adding the ballot placement prohibition). These provisions change election procedures by adding judicial review for municipal charter amendments and blocking invalid proposals from reaching voters.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HJR 609) honoring the University of Memphis Tigers football team for their 2024 season achievements. It formally recognizes their 11 wins - including a bowl victory - and record-setting performances, such as setting the program's most wins in a two-year span (21-5) and having quarterback Seth Henigan become the team's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. The resolution does not create any new laws, policies, or financial obligations; it is purely symbolic recognition. It was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor on April 29, 2025.