Sen. Bo Watson

Maddy summarySB 2081 expands a Tennessee law that prohibits health insurance plans from requiring step therapy (trying less expensive treatments first) before covering approved cancer drugs. It removes the current restriction that only applied to "stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer or metastatic blood cancer," instead applying the prohibition to **all cancer diagnoses**. This means cancer patients in Tennessee with insurance plans covering cancer treatment cannot be forced through step therapy protocols before accessing approved drugs. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for new or renewed insurance policies.

Maddy summarySB 2414 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to submit an annual report by February 1 to specific legislative committees. The report must detail federal public health benefits and grants received by Tennessee, particularly those related to maternal and infant health programs. This bill amends several state code sections to establish this reporting requirement. It does not change funding or program eligibility but mandates transparency about federal support for maternal and infant health initiatives. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on reporting, not policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 2159 caps annual transfers from Tennessee's lottery for education funds to the Tennessee Promise scholarship program at $10 million per fiscal year. It requires that any excess funds beyond a specified reserve amount be transferred to the scholarship account, but limits each year's transfer to no more than $10 million. This directly affects the Tennessee Promise scholarship program, which provides tuition assistance to eligible students. The bill modifies existing funding rules to ensure a predictable annual allocation without increasing overall state funding for the program.

Maddy summarySB 2083 amends Tennessee law to increase the maximum number of nonrelated people allowed in homes for the aged. It changes the definition so that tier 1 homes (for the aged) can now accommodate up to five people (previously three), and tier 2 homes can now house up to six people (previously four). This directly affects licensed residential care facilities providing long-term care for elderly individuals. The bill modifies the specific numerical thresholds in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 11, without altering other facility requirements or funding.

Maddy summarySB 1369 removes the requirement for acute care hospitals in Tennessee to obtain state approval (a "certificate of need") to establish or operate, effective July 1, 2028. It defines "acute care hospital" as one primarily treating patients with an average stay of 25 days or less. This change directly affects new and existing acute care hospitals by eliminating a regulatory hurdle for expansion or operation. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections to implement this change, while maintaining certificate of need requirements for other hospital types.

Maddy summarySB 211 would allocate state and local sales tax revenue from a specific stadium to its operator. The bill targets a stadium in a county with a 2020 census population of 366,200-366,300 that hosts NCAA FCS football, soccer, and other events. Revenue from admissions, food/drinks, merchandise, parking, and related services (excluding school-focused local taxes) would fund the stadium’s capital projects and operations. This allocation would continue until the stadium’s debt is paid off or July 1, 2055, whichever comes first. The bill applies only to the entity designated to operate the stadium.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally recognizes Hoppy's North River Corner Market in Chattanooga for its community contributions and culinary excellence. The resolution commends the business owners and employees for maintaining a long-standing neighborhood market since 1940 and winning recent awards, including 'Best Classic Burger' and 'Best Convenience Store.' The measure has no regulatory or financial impact; it serves solely as an official acknowledgment of the establishment's achievements within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution honoring the memory of Chad Allen Young, a former law enforcement officer from Ooltewah, Tennessee. It formally acknowledges his twenty-three years of service as a deputy with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and his previous work in corrections. The resolution expresses the legislature's sympathy to his surviving family and presents a copy of the document as a tribute to his life and public service.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution honors the memory of Deputy Landon Faulkner, a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputy who died in a traffic accident while on duty. The measure expresses condolences to his surviving family and acknowledges his service to the community. It is a commemorative resolution and does not alter any existing laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 2076 expands the scope of practice for Tennessee optometrists by allowing them to perform specific minor surgical procedures under local anesthesia, such as removing small eyelid lesions or treating minor lacerations. It directly affects licensed optometrists in Tennessee who meet certification requirements for administering local anesthetics. The bill permits procedures like excising non-malignant skin lesions under 5mm or draining eyelid abscesses, but explicitly prohibits more complex surgeries like cataract removal, LASIK, or retinal procedures. These changes are codified in amendments to Tennessee Code Annotated § 63-8-102, with all new surgical authority subject to board approval and strict limitations.