Sen. Ken Yager

Maddy summarySB 1463 changes how Morgan County selects its County Attorney. It requires the position to be filled by a licensed attorney appointed by the Morgan County Commission (after Commission approval), serving a four-year term. The bill removes the prior requirement that the County Attorney must be a Morgan County resident. This applies only to future appointments, leaving current officeholders unaffected. The law takes effect after Morgan County’s legislative body approves it with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySB 758 amends Tennessee law to require that when a nonprofit industrial development corporation dissolves, its land (acreage) must be transferred to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on promoting industrial development and new nuclear development. This change directly affects dissolved industrial development corporations and specifies the recipient nonprofit for their land transfers. The bill modifies Section 7-53-317(a)(2) of Tennessee Code to replace prior transfer rules with this new requirement. The policy change, effective May 5, 2025, ensures land from dissolved industrial development entities supports ongoing industrial and nuclear development initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 750 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies (except the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) to submit monthly reports to the Department of Safety about interactions with undocumented immigrants. These reports must include details like dates, numbers encountered, and copies of identification documents found. The Department of Safety must then compile an annual report for the Tennessee General Assembly by December 1st, assessing undocumented immigrant presence, associated criminal activity, and threat analysis. This report aims to inform legislative oversight and law enforcement coordination, directly affecting state law enforcement agencies and the General Assembly.

Maddy summarySB 763 requires Tennessee's Department of Revenue to maintain an online directory of all vapor products (like e-cigarettes) certified for sale in the state. It imposes new taxes: $0.07 per milliliter on closed-system vapor products (e.g., disposable pods) and 10% of wholesale cost on open-system products (e.g., refillable devices). Manufacturers must certify compliance with federal FDA requirements to be listed in the directory. The bill directly affects vapor product manufacturers, retailers, and consumers by creating a regulatory framework and funding enforcement through dedicated tax revenue.

Maddy summarySB 747 extends the annual assessment deadline for ground ambulance service providers under Tennessee's TennCare program from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This change directly affects ambulance providers who must pay this annual fee to participate in TennCare. The bill also includes minor adjustments to the assessment process, such as extending the deadline for submitting provider documentation from 30 to 45 business days. These provisions aim to provide additional compliance time while maintaining the program's requirements.

Maddy summarySB 751 adds the MidSouth Development District to Tennessee’s list of nine regional development districts and establishes a new funding formula. It sets a statewide funding level of $0.50 per resident (based on the latest population estimate) for all nine districts, replacing previous calculation methods. Funding amounts are now determined by a tiered system: districts with lower per capita assessments receive $295,000 annually, those with mid-range assessments get $340,000, and districts with higher assessments (up to $370,000) receive the highest allocation. This bill directly affects the nine regional development districts by changing how state funds are distributed based on population and regional cost factors.

Maddy summarySB 251 clarifies rules for Tennessee public retirees who return to work. It requires retirees to have a "bona fide separation" (a 60-day gap with no prearranged return agreement) before temporary reemployment. Retirees can work up to 120 days per year or 24 quarter credits for teachers, with earnings capped at 60% of their prior full-time salary (adjusted annually). Exceeding these limits triggers reduced retirement benefits, and employers must certify compliance. The bill directly affects public retirees in Tennessee's state and local retirement systems.

Maddy summarySB 753 allows Tennessee school districts (LEAs) to enroll children of their employees in voluntary pre-kindergarten programs when space remains after enrolling at-risk children. It specifically permits districts to charge employees tuition and fees equal to the program's actual costs, not additional profit. The bill directly affects school employees and their children, ensuring enrollment priority for at-risk students first. This change modifies existing education code to expand pre-K access for staff families under defined conditions.

Maddy summarySB 741 criminalizes possessing, distributing, or producing digital tools designed to create material featuring minors in sexual activity (real or simulated, if patently offensive). It classifies violations as Class E (possession), Class C (distribution), or Class B (production) felonies. Courts must consider specific factors like the defendant’s statements, existing material, advertising, and legitimate uses when determining intent. The law, effective July 1, 2025, directly affects individuals who handle such technology, not minors or general users.

Maddy summarySB 755 is a procedural bill that modifies the Tennessee agricultural hall of fame program by extending the induction cycle from five to six years. It does not create new policies or affect specific people or businesses, but adjusts the administrative timeline for the existing program. The bill also updates effective dates to take effect on April 21, 2025. This change was signed into law by the Governor on April 21, 2025, and became effective immediately.