Sen. Shane Reeves

Maddy summarySB 429 creates a new Class B misdemeanor offense for knowingly activating and pointing a laser pointer or similar device at someone driving a vehicle (including cars, boats, planes, or other motor vehicles). This law directly affects drivers who may be targeted by laser pointers and individuals who point such devices at them. The key provision makes this act a punishable misdemeanor, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025. It specifically targets laser beams aimed at operators of moving vehicles to address safety risks.

Maddy summarySB 556 prohibits Tennessee's Public Utility Commission from regulating the entry, rates, terms, or conditions of broadband internet access services or interconnected VoIP services, or treating providers of these services as carriers. It directly affects broadband and VoIP providers by removing state regulatory oversight and the Public Utility Commission by restricting its authority over these services. The bill preserves general consumer protection and fair competition laws while exempting existing tariffed services from 2006. It does not affect federal law, 911 fees, or universal service assessments.

Maddy summarySB 434 requires the Tennessee Department of Education to compile and submit an annual report by September 1 each year on the number of students who completed the early high school graduation program in the previous school year. The report must be sent to the Senate and House education committees that oversee K-12 schools. This bill adds a reporting requirement for the department but does not change the early graduation program itself. It is a procedural measure focused on tracking participation data for legislative review.

Maddy summarySB 427 requires Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development to update county and municipal population figures annually by July 1, using estimates from the University of Tennessee's Boyd Center, to ensure fair distribution of state sales tax revenue. This replaces the previous practice of relying solely on the decennial federal census, which created delays in revenue allocation. The bill directly affects all counties and municipalities that receive state sales tax funds, as their share will now be recalculated each year based on these updated estimates. Key provisions mandate the Boyd Center to generate annual population data, the Department to certify it, and share it with tax authorities before July 1 each year. This change aims to provide more timely and equitable funding for local governments between federal census cycles.

Maddy summarySB 551 modifies Tennessee's appointment process for the Board of Medical Examiners. It changes the requirement that the governor "shall consult" with medical groups to a discretionary option allowing the governor "may consult" instead. This bill directly affects the governor's appointment authority and the composition of the medical board, which oversees physician licensing and regulation. The change only alters the consultation step in appointments and does not affect the board's duties or medical licensing standards.

Maddy summarySB 887 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to publish the state's TISA (Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement) funding formula guide on its official website. This affects school districts and families who rely on understanding how state education funds are allocated to schools. The bill's key provision adds a new requirement to state law, mandating the department make this guide publicly accessible online without delay. It does not change funding amounts or school policies, only the method of sharing existing funding information.

Maddy summarySB 1324 changes Tennessee's higher education reporting requirements by shifting from annual submissions to reporting only when requested. It modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 49-8-117, requiring the Board of Regents, state university boards, and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees to summarize grievance activities from the previous year only upon request from the Senate or House education committees. This reduces the frequency of mandatory reports for these institutions, streamlining their administrative burden. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects all public higher education governing bodies in Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 426 (Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, or TISA) adjusts how Tennessee funds public school districts based on their size. It revises weighted funding allocations for districts with 1,000-4,999 students - assigning higher percentages to smaller districts (e.g., 1,000-1,999 students receive 4% instead of the previous 5%). The bill also adds a new $50 direct allocation per student for each district’s maintenance and infrastructure, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. These changes directly affect all Tennessee school districts (LEAs) by altering their state funding formula and providing dedicated resources for physical facilities.

Maddy summarySB 553 extends the deadline for Tennessee physicians to report a change in their registered address from 30 to 60 days. This bill directly affects licensed physicians who must notify the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners after moving. The key change modifies Section 63-6-209(d) of Tennessee Code to update the reporting timeframe. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 873 appropriates $20 million for public schools (including local education agencies and charter schools) and $4 million for nonpublic schools to purchase walk-through scanners or use funds for other school safety measures if scanners are already installed. The bill directs the Tennessee Department of Education to distribute these funds specifically for school safety equipment and prevention efforts related to school safety incidents. It applies directly to eligible schools seeking to enhance security infrastructure, with funding designated for fiscal years 2024-2025 and future years as specified in the bill's legislative intent.