Sen. Todd Gardenhire

Maddy summarySB 2581 extends the deadline for a joint committee to review county consolidation petitions from 90 to 100 days. The committee must now take 100 days, instead of 90, to report on the feasibility of merging the petitioning county with another county. This change directly affects the joint committee and the county that submits the consolidation petition. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections in Titles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 67 related to local government.

Maddy summarySB 2325 modifies Tennessee law by changing the required notice period for meetings of the district public defenders conference from "10 days" to "10 business days" for the president to provide written notice before calling an at-will meeting. This change directly affects the president of the district public defenders conference and their ability to schedule meetings. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 8-14-204 and 9-4-101 to implement this procedural adjustment. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter substantive policies or funding for public defenders.

Maddy summarySB 2329 increases base salaries for Tennessee judges and justices effective September 1, 2030. It sets new salary tiers: supreme court chief justices earn the most, with associate justices $5,000 less, appellate chief judges $7,500 less than associate justices, and all other judges receiving progressively lower amounts. The bill also revises how general sessions judges' pay is calculated by replacing the old 7 county classes with a new 5-class system based on population (e.g., Class 1 counties have >49,000 residents), with salaries now tied to circuit court judge pay. These changes apply to all trial, appellate, and supreme court judges, and affect how counties determine compensation for general sessions and juvenile judges.

Maddy summarySB 1653 increases Tennessee's maximum liability for state tort claims. It raises the cap from $300,000 per person suing to $500,000 per claimant and from $1 million per incident to $1.5 million per occurrence. This change directly affects individuals or entities filing lawsuits against the state for injuries or property damage caused by state actions. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 9-8-307(e) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Kori Atkins, a Brainerd High School student and long-time member of the Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga, for being named the 2026 Youth of the Year. The bill formally commends her achievements and expresses the legislature's support for her future success. It serves as a ceremonial recognition rather than a law that changes policy or affects public funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution 952 formally commends Alitrise Renate Soderstrom Theodoriches for her exemplary service as a legislative intern for Senator Todd Gardenhire during the 2026 session. The resolution recognizes her contributions to the legislative process, her academic achievements at Lipscomb University, and her commitment to public service and community engagement. By passing this measure, the Tennessee General Assembly acknowledges her dedication and extends good wishes for her future endeavors in government and law.

Maddy summarySB 2335 amends Tennessee's aggravated criminal trespass law to specifically include disrupting a religious assembly within a building on property as a punishable offense. It directly affects individuals who enter or remain on property without consent and disrupt religious gatherings, such as protests or services inside a place of worship. The key provision adds a new subsection (D) to the trespass definition, stating that disrupting a religious assembly while on the property constitutes aggravated criminal trespass. This change elevates the offense to a Class A misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties of up to 11 months in jail.

Maddy summarySB 2629 would exempt active-duty military service members who are Tennessee residents but stationed out-of-state from paying sales and use tax when purchasing a motor vehicle in Tennessee. This applies specifically to service members living in Tennessee but serving at bases outside the state under their branch’s orders. The bill amends Tennessee’s tax code to remove this tax requirement for qualifying military personnel. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2327 creates a new Class B misdemeanor offense for intentionally obstructing, disturbing, or interfering with activities at a religious institution (defined as a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship) through offensive words, gestures, or displays that disturb the order of the space. It specifically targets conduct that is offensive to most people, whether inside the facility or near enough to disrupt services. Violating this law would result in misdemeanor charges, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects individuals whose actions near religious gatherings are deemed offensive under this standard.

Maddy summarySB 1658 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI (driving under the influence) who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone with active warning flashers. This applies to anyone convicted of a DUI offense meeting those specific conditions, increasing their sentence beyond the standard penalty. The 30-day minimum must be served in addition to any other jail time for the DUI conviction. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.