Sen. Bo Watson

Maddy summarySB 2073 designates the month of April each year as "Tennessee Native Plant Month" in the state. This ceremonial bill aims to raise public awareness about native plants' ecological and economic benefits, such as supporting pollinators, sustaining local ecosystems, and bolstering agriculture and nursery industries. It does not create new regulations, funding, or direct obligations but formally recognizes Tennessee's native plant species through an annual observance. The designation applies statewide and encourages community engagement with native plant conservation.

Maddy summarySB 2063 requires the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to build playgrounds at Booker T. Washington State Park and Harrison Bay State Park by January 1, 2027, using only existing department resources. The bill mandates this specific infrastructure improvement at two named state parks without creating new funding or altering broader park management. It directly affects these two state parks and their visitors by adding playground facilities within the specified deadline. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the construction timeline and funding mechanism for these playgrounds.

Maddy summarySB 2078 requires Tennessee's Higher Education Commission (THEC) to submit a report by October 1, 2027, identifying all fiscal years since 2004 where lottery funds were insufficient to fully cover specific state scholarship programs. The report must detail years when this shortfall caused either reduced scholarship amounts for students (pro rata reductions) or the use of a general reserve fund to cover the gap. This bill does not change funding levels or eligibility but mandates transparency about past shortfalls affecting scholarship awards.

Maddy summarySB 2192 increases the employer pension contribution rate from 5% to 10% for current Tennessee state legislators (members of the general assembly) who have at least 10 years of creditable service in the hybrid retirement plan by July 1, 2026. This change applies only to sitting legislators meeting the service requirement, directly affecting their retirement benefits under Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-36-916. The bill amends the existing retirement plan rules to provide a higher employer contribution rate specifically for qualifying legislators. It takes effect for legislators serving in office on or after November 3, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1363 requires Tennessee's Attorney General to report on consumer protection investigations involving AI between January 2024 and December 2025. The report, due by July 1, 2026, must detail how often AI was used in unfair or deceptive business practices affecting trade or commerce, and will be sent to specific legislative committees. It mandates this using existing resources, without creating new enforcement powers. The bill directly affects the Attorney General's office and the House Consumer Protection and Senate Commerce and Labor committees. This is a reporting requirement, not a change to consumer protection laws.

Maddy summarySB 2084 removes an outdated requirement that the Tennessee Insurance Commissioner study whether insurance laws deter companies from covering self-defense incidents (including deadly force). It deletes Section 56-1-108 from state code, which previously mandated this study and a report to the legislature by March 1, 2012. The bill has no new policy effects - it only eliminates a redundant administrative task. This is a procedural change affecting only the commissioner’s duties, not insurance coverage rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents insurance companies from requiring visually impaired drivers (defined as blind or partially blind) to purchase commercial liability insurance instead of standard personal auto insurance when their vehicle isn't used for business. It specifically ensures that hiring a driver for personal use (like getting a ride) doesn't count as "commercial purpose." The law applies to all new or renewed insurance policies starting July 1, 2025, for eligible drivers. It directly affects visually impaired vehicle owners in Tennessee who previously faced potential insurance requirement changes.

Maddy summarySB 1380 shortens the deadline ambulance services must provide patient run records. It reduces the required time from five to three business days for both patients (or their authorized representatives) who request copies and for health surveyors working with the Health Facilities Commission. The bill amends Tennessee law in Titles 56, 68, and 71 to implement this change. This affects ambulance providers statewide by streamlining their response time to record requests. The policy change is procedural, focusing solely on accelerating access to medical documentation.

Maddy summarySB 1383 increases financial requirements for insurance companies providing workers' compensation coverage in Tennessee. It raises the bond amount these companies must post from $50,000 to $100,000 and the deposit amount they may place with the state's labor commissioner from $100,000 to $200,000. These changes apply directly to insurance companies operating in Tennessee's workers' compensation market. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 50, Sections 50-6-404(a)(1) and 50-6-404(b)) and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1362 redefines "artificial intelligence" in Tennessee law as machine-based systems that make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing environments. It expands the Tennessee AI Advisory Council from 24 to 24-27 members, requiring at least two members with AI research/development experience and allowing nonvoting experts to advise. The bill mandates the council to compile an annual inventory of state and federal AI-related laws by December 2025, identifying overlaps or gaps, and to recommend data privacy best practices aligned with state data policies. This directly affects the AI Advisory Council and state agencies managing AI systems and data.