Sen. Janice Bowling

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution officially commends Kermina Wadeh for her service as a legislative intern for Senator Janice Bowling. The measure does not alter existing laws or policies but serves as a formal recognition of her contributions during the 2026 legislative session. It authorizes the General Assembly to present a copy of the resolution to Wadeh as a gesture of appreciation for her work.

Maddy summarySB 485 requires Tennessee courts to follow federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) procedures in child custody cases involving Indian children. It directly affects Indian children, their families, tribal courts, and Tennessee child welfare agencies by establishing tribal jurisdiction over these cases. The bill mandates that courts transfer custody proceedings for Indian children not living on tribal reservations to tribal courts unless there’s a valid reason not to, and it defines key terms like "Indian child" and "tribal jurisdiction" to align with ICWA standards. This policy change ensures tribal involvement in custody decisions to protect cultural connections and family stability.

Maddy summarySB 2485 allows Tennessee public school districts and charter schools to install video monitoring systems in special education classrooms to enhance safety during instruction. It requires written parental consent from a majority of parents before monitoring students, teachers, and staff continuously while special education services are provided. The bill restricts access to recorded footage to parents (under FERPA privacy rules) or teachers documenting assaults, and mandates schools to create policies for footage retention. This applies only to self-contained special education classrooms where students receive specialized instruction for at least half their school day.

Maddy summarySB 2480 creates a $210 million annual "rural revenue equity fund" to support Tennessee counties classified as rural. Funds are distributed based on a scoring system evaluating agricultural land area, farm sales, county population, and other factors like lack of development tax authority. Rural counties must apply to receive funds, which can only be used for infrastructure, emergency services, capital projects, or property tax stabilization. The money comes directly from the state general fund, with unspent balances carried forward annually.

Maddy summarySB 1896 requires Tennessee school boards to provide school transportation for students living more than 1.5 miles from their assigned school by the nearest safe route, *only* when the board contracts with external transportation providers. This applies directly to students in districts using third-party bus services and mandates that school boards ensure these students have access to transportation facilities. The bill amends Tennessee education codes to clarify this requirement, specifically targeting scenarios where boards outsource transportation rather than operating their own fleets. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 486 appropriates $25 million to fund the planning and construction of a new parking garage for legislative employees. The garage must have at least 400 spaces, attach to the Cordell Hull Building, and be used exclusively by state legislators and their staff. This bill modifies specific Tennessee Code sections to enable the funding and construction of this facility for the 2024-2025 fiscal years.

Maddy summarySB 482 strengthens Tennessee's laws against non-consensual photography by expanding the definition of "unlawful photography" to include photos where the defendant knew the victim would be engaged in sexual activity. It upgrades penalties for this offense to a Class D felony (from a Class A misdemeanor or Class E felony) in specific cases, making the punishment more severe. The bill also allows courts to issue protection orders for victims who have been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of such photography. This directly affects victims of non-consensual photo sharing and those who commit this act, creating clearer legal consequences and additional protections.

Maddy summarySB 473, the VALOR Act, would exempt Tennessee veterans with 100% service-connected disability (verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying certain fees and taxes. It removes the $10 fee for permanent sport hunting/fishing licenses, requires state reimbursement of local property taxes on a veteran’s primary residence, and eliminates vehicle registration fees for one private passenger vehicle, RV, or truck under 3/4 ton. The exemption applies to veterans who own and use their primary residence as their main home. The bill would take effect January 1, 2026, if enacted.

Maddy summarySB 478 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police officers and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill also ensures officers who served in active military duty during designated conflicts (and were unable to attend training due to service) receive the bonus regardless of training completion. This applies to officers at institutions covered under Tennessee’s campus law enforcement statutes. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 593 is a ceremonial resolution designating Marlene Edwards Tidwell as "Poet Laureate Emerita of Tennessee." It recognizes her contributions to poetry, including her 2021 poem "My Beloved Tennessee" designated as an official State poem, and her book *Nature Sings*. The resolution formally honors her literary work and connection to Tennessee through a title she will now hold. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws, funding, or obligations.