Sen. Adam Lowe

Maddy summarySB 121 requires public charter schools in Tennessee to adopt internet acceptable use policies identical to those mandated for traditional school districts (LEAs). It directly affects all public schools, including charter schools, by prohibiting them from tracking or monitoring students' personal electronic device usage on school property - except during testing. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly include charter schools in all relevant provisions and clarifies that monitoring is only permitted when a student uses a device during an exam. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee law declares that goods produced entirely within the state and sold only to other Tennessees are not subject to federal regulations based on Congress's power to control interstate commerce. The bill defines these items as products grown, manufactured, or harvested in Tennessee using local raw materials that never leave the state's borders. By asserting that such intrastate activities fall under state authority rather than federal oversight, the legislation aims to limit the reach of federal laws over purely local economic transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Tennessee laws to include the Ocoee River in the state's scenic rivers system by adding "Class IV Olympic river areas" as a recognized category. It specifically authorizes the state to pay the Tennessee Valley Authority for releasing extra water to maintain the river's flow and recreational conditions. The changes apply to various state codes governing water resources and environmental protection.

Maddy summaryThis law requires the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission to submit an annual report to the governor and various legislative committee chairs by March 1 each year. The report must list every new rule the agency creates during the previous year and explain the specific reason for each rule. This change ensures that the public and lawmakers can review how the agency regulates alcoholic beverages and understand the justification behind its decisions. The law takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis law allows teen courts in Tennessee to ask parents for specific medical records when dealing with students who frequently skip school. The bill gives these courts the power to request detailed documents signed by a licensed doctor to help understand the root causes of a child's absenteeism. By requiring this information, the courts can make better-informed decisions about how to handle cases involving habitual truancy. The change applies to the legal process used to determine appropriate consequences for students who have been found guilty of missing too many school days.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to the City of Athens charter, subject to a mandatory two-thirds vote by the city's legislative body. It establishes a three-term limit for city council members, starting with the 2024 and 2026 elections, while excluding any mid-term appointed terms from this count. The legislation also grants the mayor emergency management powers consistent with state law and updates the title of council members from "councilman" to "councilperson" to use gender-neutral language.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that sheriff and municipal law enforcement departments in Tennessee post their annual audit reports on their official websites. The requirement applies to all such departments and ensures these financial records are publicly accessible online. By adding this provision to state law, the measure aims to increase transparency regarding how local law enforcement agencies manage their funds.