Rep. John Gillespie

Maddy summaryHB 309 amends Tennessee law to require the Bureau of Parks and Conservation to designate **at least one day annually** - instead of exactly one day - when all state parks, campgrounds, and golf courses are free for veterans. This directly affects **veterans** seeking access to state park facilities, expanding potential free days beyond the current single-day requirement. The key provision modifies an existing law (TCA Title 58, Chapter 3) to mandate annual free access while shifting responsibility from the "division of parks" to the "bureau of parks and conservation." The bill does not create new fees or alter veteran eligibility, only adjusting the frequency and administrative oversight of free park access.

Maddy summaryHB 337 requires county and city attorneys to advise elected officials, their deputies, and employees on applying relevant federal and state laws to their official duties. This new requirement applies to all county and city attorneys across Tennessee. The bill amends Tennessee Code (Titles 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, and 13) to add this specific advisory duty to attorneys' responsibilities. It directly affects local government attorneys and the officials they serve by expanding their role in ensuring legal compliance for daily operations.

Maddy summaryHB 38 requires Tennessee juvenile courts to order parents, legal custodians, or guardians to pay restitution for police costs after a child commits a third or subsequent delinquent act. The restitution must be at least $250 for misdemeanor-level acts or $500 for felony-level acts, with a maximum of $1,000. If the parent is indigent, the court may instead require community service. This bill directly affects parents or guardians of repeat juvenile offenders, shifting costs of law enforcement responses to them for third or later offenses. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 79 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor the memory of William Reid Sanders, Sr., a lifelong Memphis resident and community leader. The resolution recognizes his contributions as a philanthropist, business executive (notably as founder of Southeastern Asset Management), and dedicated family man, highlighting his service to institutions like the Jefferson Scholars Foundation and Hutchison School. It does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the legislature's tribute to his life and legacy. The resolution was signed by both legislative leaders and the Governor in February 2025, with a copy to be presented to his family.

Maddy summaryThis law requires that anyone released from jail on bail for a felony crime must agree to be monitored before their trial to make sure they follow the rules set by the court. If a person breaks these rules, a special agency will tell the judge, who can then cancel the bail and order the person's arrest. The law also limits who can release someone who has been caught breaking bail rules, allowing only criminal or circuit court judges to do so. These changes update Tennessee's state codes to tighten how bail is managed and enforced.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee law allows state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to import or export human remains for training purposes, such as learning to detect buried bodies. To ensure safety and respect, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation must create specific rules alongside the Department of Health that cover how to store, use, and properly dispose of these remains. The new regulations will outline secure storage methods, guidelines for using the remains as training aids, and required disposal procedures once the training is complete.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the legal penalty for drag racing in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. It directly affects individuals who engage in drag racing activities on public roads or highways after July 1, 2024. The law achieves this change by amending specific sections of the state code that previously defined the offense as a lesser misdemeanor. Once enacted, anyone convicted of drag racing on or after the effective date faces the more severe felony classification and its associated sentencing guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Parental Accountability Act, requires parents or guardians to pay a $1,000 fine if their child is found delinquent for a second or subsequent offense in Tennessee. The law applies to cases where the child was under the custody of the parent or guardian at the time the offense occurred. If the parent or guardian is determined to be indigent, the court must order them to perform community service instead of paying the fine. These financial penalties take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee law changes how judges set bail amounts by removing the ability to consider a defendant's financial situation when making that decision. The bill requires courts to focus solely on whether a person will appear in court and whether the public remains safe, rather than their ability to pay money. By deleting specific language from the state code, the legislation ensures that wealth does not influence the bail amount set for an individual. This change directly affects judges, defendants, and the bail bond industry by standardizing the financial criteria used in pre-trial release decisions.