Sen. Todd Gardenhire

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the 100th anniversary of the Old Church Building in New Hope, Marion County, Tennessee. The bill formally recognizes the historic structure's history, from its construction in 1925 as an annex for the Methodist Church to its current use as a barber shop after renovations by the Rorex family. It does not change any laws or allocate funds but serves to acknowledge the building's significance to the local community and its owners.

Maddy summarySB 2416 amends Tennessee's property tax law to change how mineral and non-soil interests in real property (like oil/gas rights) are taxed. It creates two exceptions: 1) if a lessee has a "payments in lieu of taxes" agreement with the state/local government (effective after April 30, 2019), or 2) if a lessee is part of a housing authority's affordable housing project under specific lease terms (effective after April 30, 2026). Under these exceptions, the property is assessed solely to the government entity (e.g., housing authority), not the private owner. This directly affects mineral rights holders and housing authorities participating in these arrangements. The bill shifts the tax assessment responsibility from private owners to government entities in these specific cases.

Maddy summarySB 1742 redefines "hybrid electric vehicle" in Tennessee law to mean a vehicle propelled by both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (or other power source), excluding low-speed and medium-speed vehicles. This change directly affects vehicle registrants, dealers, and state agencies that classify vehicles under Tennessee's titling and registration system. The bill amends Title 55, Chapter 4 of Tennessee Code to clarify this definition in the existing legal framework. It does not create new taxes, fees, or regulatory requirements but ensures consistent application of the term for administrative purposes. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on defining terminology for vehicle classification.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies which state contracts require review by Tennessee's Fiscal Review Committee. It sets a $250,000 threshold for mandatory review of noncompetitive contracts (including amendments that increase costs or change terms) and removes the requirement to include "impact to commerce" statements in fiscal review documents. State agencies must now submit detailed justifications for noncompetitive contracts, including explanations of why competitive bidding wasn't used. The changes directly affect state departments and agencies when procuring goods or services over $250,000 through noncompetitive contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally commemorates the 251st anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 2026. It directly affects the Tennessee state government by authorizing the Senate and House of Representatives to join with patriotic and veterans' organizations in honoring this historical event. The resolution acknowledges the significance of the battles in American history and encourages participation in the commemoration, but it does not create new laws or require specific actions from citizens or officials. The primary outcome is a ceremonial recognition of the historical event rather than a change in policy or funding.

Maddy summarySJR 623 is a ceremonial resolution designating February 18, 2026, as "Safari Club International Day" in Tennessee. It recognizes Safari Club International (SCI), a nonprofit founded in 1971 that promotes hunting conservation and wildlife management, and highlights its annual Nashville convention as a major event supporting Tennessee's hunting community. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally commemorates SCI's role in conservation funding, wildlife management, and outdoor heritage. It directly affects SCI members and Tennessee's hunting community by honoring their contributions through official state recognition.

Maddy summarySB 2034 requires Tennessee state agencies to disclose records and information to legislators upon written request, enabling them to assess compliance with state laws or identify needed legal changes. To access records, legislators must submit a written request with relevant details, sign a confidentiality agreement, and review materials only on-site at the agency. The bill mandates that all reviewed records remain in the agency's possession and does not alter existing confidentiality protections. This procedural bill affects state governmental entities and legislators by establishing specific protocols for legislative oversight access.

Maddy summarySB 2037, the "One America Act," requires undocumented immigrants who have lived in Tennessee for over 30 days to register with the state's Department of Safety and undergo an interview. If approved, they receive a one-year visa to leave the U.S., stay outside for at least 30 days, and re-enter legally; after one year without a criminal offense, they can apply for permanent residency. The Department of Safety must decide eligibility within 30 days of the interview, and denials require departure from the U.S. within 30 days. The bill's implementation depends on federal rules from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with a 30-day delay after those rules are established.

Maddy summarySB 2336 extends the required period that Tennessee fire departments must maintain criminal background checks for firefighters and applicants from one year to two years after employment ends. This change directly affects all fire departments (both paid and volunteer) and their personnel by altering background check retention requirements. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 38, 50, and 68) related to fire prevention and personnel screening. It specifically updates Section 68-102-308(b)(2) to replace "plus one (1) year" with "plus two (2) years" for background check maintenance. The policy change focuses on extending the timeframe for background verification without altering the underlying screening process.

Maddy summarySB 1651 requires Tennessee counties to prioritize funding for county-wide and volunteer fire departments. It directs county governing bodies to allocate county funds (from general funds or other revenue) to these departments at a level equal to the funding provided for the sheriff's department. The bill specifically applies to counties with a county-wide fire department or a volunteer fire department serving all county areas, as defined by state fire marshal recognition. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and establishes legislative intent for funding allocation without creating new programs.