Sen. Ken Yager

Maddy summarySB 2180 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation to allocate federal and state transportation funds to rural planning organizations (RPOs) in equal amounts compared to metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) for transportation planning and projects. This directly affects rural communities and their planning groups, ensuring they receive funding parity with urban areas for highway and road planning. The bill mandates this equal allocation starting July 1, 2026, for funds applied for after that date. It amends Tennessee Code to define RPOs and MPOs and establishes this funding requirement as a legal standard.

Maddy summarySB 2476 exempts registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants who provide home health services to four or fewer patients from needing to hire staff or maintain an office to qualify for home care organization licensure. Instead, these nurses must request secure record storage space from the Tennessee Department of Health, which is required to provide it upon request. The bill directly affects small-scale home health care providers who serve limited patient volumes. It amends Tennessee Code Titles 63 and 68 to implement this licensing change, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 687 is a ceremonial resolution honoring WIN Learning for its 30th anniversary. It commends the company for providing career readiness education to over 10 million learners worldwide through partnerships with schools and workforce programs. The resolution recognizes WIN Learning's role in connecting education to employment, without creating any new laws or policy changes. It was unanimously passed by Tennessee's legislature in February 2026 and is now awaiting the Governor's signature as a formal tribute.

Maddy summarySB 1965 extends the deadline for Tennessee's Commissioner of Financial Institutions to submit the department's annual report to the governor. Specifically, it increases the submission window from 60 days to 70 days after the end of each calendar year. This procedural change directly affects the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, who must now submit the report within the longer timeframe. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 45-1-119 to reflect this extension, with no other policy changes or impacts on financial institutions or the public.

Maddy summarySB 1833 prohibits Tennessee higher education institutions (like colleges and universities) from facing liability or having prior criminal convictions used as evidence in negligence claims related to admitting, enrolling, or providing housing to individuals with past criminal records. Exceptions apply if the institution knew about a prior violent or violent sexual offense and was willful in allowing the person to continue. The bill does not create new legal claims and takes effect July 1, 2026, applying only to cases arising after that date. It directly affects students with criminal histories and institutions' legal exposure in enrollment decisions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 295 honors the memory of Bill R. Dunlap, a Scott County community leader and longtime owner of Plateau Drugs, who passed away. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Tennessee Senate, extends condolences to his family and commemorates his decades of service to Scott County through his business, chamber of commerce involvement, and community contributions. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture of remembrance.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 297 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Tennessee Senate to honor Sister Carrie Elizabeth Rowan Barksdale, a Harriman resident and longtime community leader. The resolution recognizes her decades of service - including founding Ladies Inspiration Day, volunteering at Harriman Hospital, and receiving the Key to the City of Harriman - while expressing condolences to her family. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges her legacy through a Senate resolution. It was unanimously adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2026, and will be presented to her family.

Maddy summarySB 2627 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to annually submit a report by July 1 starting in 2026 to specific legislative committees and budget analysts. The report must detail the number of eligible students, participating students, and program capacity from the previous fiscal year, plus the process for notifying parents about program eligibility. The first report must include five years of data on student participation, program capacity, and annual spending. This bill directly affects the Department of Education's reporting obligations and the General Assembly's ability to evaluate the Individualized Education Account program's availability and effectiveness.

Maddy summarySB 1451 updates salary rules for the City of Red Boiling Springs by increasing the mayor's annual salary from $5,200 to $18,200 and council members' annual salaries from $500 to $1,800. The bill amends the city's charter (Chapter 120 of the Private Acts of 1953) to establish these minimum salary rates and requires the city council to approve the changes through local ordinance. Current officials serving during their elected terms will not receive immediate raises under this bill. The changes take effect only after local approval by the city council, as specified in the bill's requirements.

Maddy summarySB 760 requires that websites designated to publish legal notices in Tennessee must be freely accessible to the public without any fees or subscriptions. This directly affects newspapers and other publications legally required to post notices, ensuring no cost barriers for viewers. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated to add a specific provision prohibiting fees for accessing these notices. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, making legal notices universally viewable at no cost.