Sen. Adam Lowe

Maddy summarySB 1954 revises Tennessee's law for the crime of continuous sexual abuse of a child. It requires that a defendant must have committed three or more incidents of sexual abuse against one or more minor children on separate occasions. At least one incident must have occurred within the county where the charge is filed, and at least one incident must have occurred on or after July 1, 2026. The abuse must also have taken place over a period of at least 30 days, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2026, for acts committed on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 1480 requires the Tennessee state to cover the costs of autopsies ordered by a district attorney general, shifting this financial responsibility from counties to the state. This directly affects county medical examiners, prosecutors, and the state budget, as counties previously bore these expenses. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 38-7-109(b) to explicitly state that autopsy costs must be paid by the state, similar to other state-chargeable expenses. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring consistent state funding for these forensic examinations.

Maddy summarySB 417 lowers the weight threshold for felony charges related to certain fentanyl-related substances in Tennessee. It changes the law so that possessing, manufacturing, delivering, or selling 50 grams or more of fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, or their derivatives triggers a Class A felony charge - down from the current 150 grams. This directly affects individuals involved in handling these substances, as it makes it easier to meet the felony threshold. The bill amends Tennessee Code §39-17-417(j)(12) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 341 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to allocate funds to local school districts for hiring one full-time licensed school counselor at each high school with 600+ students in grades 10-12. This directly affects qualifying high schools and their districts, mandating that districts use these funds to employ counselors who must spend at least 70% of their time providing student counseling services. The bill specifies that funds are in addition to existing education funding and does not require districts already meeting a 1 counselor per 250 students ratio to hire additional counselors. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year if passed.

Maddy summarySB 1465 would exempt labor and service costs (including repair and installation) from Tennessee's sales and use tax when these charges are separately listed on a customer's invoice. This applies to businesses selling tangible personal property, such as appliances, furniture, or electronics, where labor costs are itemized separately from the product price. The bill amends tax code to remove these separately stated labor charges from the taxable base, meaning customers would no longer pay tax on such labor. The exemption would take effect on July 1, 2026, for most purposes.

Maddy summarySJR 28 is a Tennessee Senate resolution expressing support for the federal Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38), which aims to establish nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry permits. It would allow individuals with a valid state-issued concealed carry permit (or who reside in a "Constitutional Carry" state) to legally carry a concealed handgun in any U.S. state, eliminating current inconsistencies between state laws. The resolution directly affects law-abiding concealed carry permit holders and residents of states with constitutional carry laws by advocating for federal legislation that would protect their Second Amendment rights during interstate travel. This resolution does not create new law but urges the U.S. Congress to pass the federal bill.

Maddy summarySB 2028 clarifies that local governments in Tennessee (cities, counties, towns, or municipalities) cannot regulate how wildlife is taken, including firearm discharge during lawful hunting. It states that only the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has authority to set rules and proclamations governing hunting methods, amending Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1314, 70-1-206, and 70-4-107. The bill ensures hunters can legally use firearm discharge within commission-designated areas during approved seasons, as long as it aligns with commission regulations. This centralizes hunting regulation authority under the state commission, removing local regulatory power over hunting practices.

Maddy summarySB 1649 requires Tennessee's governor to obtain legislative confirmation (via joint resolution of both the Senate and House) before appointing members to state university boards. It also mandates that all new board terms begin on February 1 and last six years, replacing the previous practice of immediate appointment. Current board members' terms are extended to January 31 of the year following their expiration to align with the new start date. This bill directly affects state university board appointments and the timing of their service.

Maddy summarySB 2026 amends Tennessee law to change how livestock owners receive compensation when animals are destroyed to prevent disease spread. It specifies that indemnity payments must be based on the animal's fair market value, subject to available state funds. If funds are insufficient, owners may receive partial reimbursement instead of full value. The bill directly affects livestock owners who lose animals under disease control measures, updating procedures under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 44.

Maddy summarySB 1951 extends the operational period for school buses used exclusively to transport students to after-school programs. It allows these buses to remain in service until the later of 20 years from their in-service date or 300,000 miles, up from the previous 18 years or 200,000 miles. The bill requires these buses to undergo safety inspections at least twice yearly and mandates written notification to the Department of Safety via certified mail once the extended limits are reached. Owners may continue operating such buses through the current school year after reaching the limit but must replace them by year-end. This applies specifically to conventional or Class D school buses designated for after-school transportation under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49.