Sen. Dawn White

Maddy summarySB 2138 requires that individuals convicted of vehicular homicide caused by intoxication **and** leaving the scene of the accident (a hit-and-run) be sentenced as a minimum "Range II" offender under Tennessee law. This bill directly affects people facing dual convictions for these specific traffic-related crimes. The key provision mandates that the sentencing range for vehicular homicide cannot be set below the second-lowest tier (Range II) if the person is also convicted of fleeing the scene. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-13-213, 40-20-102, and 55-10-101.

Maddy summarySB 2139 amends Tennessee law to change the deadline for the Department of Education's annual report on school safety grant funds. Currently due by February 1 each year after the initial 2026 report, the new deadline moves this to February 15. The bill affects the Department of Education's reporting schedule and the General Assembly's timeline for receiving the report. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Section 49-1-225(f), and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes road management in Rutherford County by repealing outdated laws from 1951 and creating a new County Highway Commission divided into seven geographic zones. The commission will consist of elected members serving staggered four-year terms, with elections scheduled for 2026 and 2028, and will meet monthly to oversee county road matters. Additionally, the bill establishes an elected County Highway Superintendent position responsible for the construction, maintenance, and supervision of county roads and drainage easements. The new commission and superintendent will operate under updated procedures that include regular meetings, open meeting requirements, and alignment with existing redistricting plans.

Maddy summarySB 2140 changes the deadline for Tennessee school districts to report if they lack sufficient school nurses. Specifically, it moves the reporting date from July 31 to July 1 each year for districts that haven't contracted for or employed at least one nurse per 750 students. The bill directly affects Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across Tennessee by requiring earlier notification to the state education department about nurse staffing shortfalls. This procedural change aims to improve timeliness in addressing school nurse coverage gaps.

Maddy summarySB 2406 allows healthcare organizations' quality improvement committees to evaluate existing security measures at their facilities. This expands the committees' role to specifically assess security protocols aimed at protecting both patients and staff. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing healthcare facilities (Titles 8, 38, 62, and 68) to include this security evaluation requirement, directly affecting healthcare organizations across Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 2110 removes probation as an option for individuals convicted of sexual battery committed by an authority figure (such as teachers, coaches, or youth workers). The bill amends Tennessee law (TCA § 39-13-527) to require mandatory sentencing for this specific offense, meaning judges cannot grant probation to offenders in these cases. It applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects people convicted of sexual battery by someone in a position of trust or authority. This change modifies sentencing guidelines under Title 40 of Tennessee law to ensure stricter consequences for these offenses.

Maddy summarySB 2143 expands Tennessee's sales tax exemption for aircraft repair services and parts to cover all aircraft types - including helicopters - instead of only large or transport-category aircraft. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 67-6-302 and 67-6-313 by replacing "large aircraft" with "aircraft" throughout, ensuring tax exemptions apply to repairs performed by Tennessee-based companies on any aircraft (including helicopters) that will be removed from the state after service. This change directly affects Tennessee aircraft repair facilities by removing a previous restriction that limited the exemption to larger commercial aircraft. The policy update takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2144 increases penalties for introducing or possessing contraband in Tennessee prisons. It raises certain violations from a Class C to Class B felony (if the act caused death), Class D to Class C (for specific contraband), and Class E to Class D (for telecommunication devices if death occurred). The bill directly affects individuals who bring prohibited items into correctional facilities, with higher penalties applying specifically when the violation results in another person's death. The changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 39-16-201 and 40 regarding prison contraband offenses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1736 (the "James Bardsley Life Protection Act") raises penalties for drivers who flee accident scenes. It upgrades the penalty for leaving an accident causing injury from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. For accidents where death was known or should have been known, it increases the penalty from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The bill directly affects drivers who fail to stop after collisions, amending Tennessee law in Titles 39 and 55, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2109 would allow Tennessee public schools to hire certain educators without a standard teaching license. Specifically, it permits the state board to waive licensure requirements for individuals who lack a bachelor's degree but have five or more consecutive years of full-time teaching experience at an approved private or church-related school. To qualify, applicants must provide school verification of performance, documentation of comparable teaching duties, proof of professional development, and pass background checks. The waiver would allow employment for up to three years (renewable), require annual performance evaluations by the school district, and does not grant a full teaching license.