Sen. Janice Bowling

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Colonel Thomas B. Vaughn, a Warren County native and decorated military veteran, by recognizing his service in the U.S. Army (including Vietnam combat), academic achievements, teaching career, writing, and community contributions. It commemorates his life and legacy as a soldier, educator, author, and philanthropist without creating any new laws or affecting individuals' rights. The resolution serves as a ceremonial tribute approved by both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses Tennessee's support for rebuilding the Columbia Dam on the Duck River, which was halted in 1981 and demolished in the 1990s after $85.4 million in costs. It states that reconstruction is critical to secure water supply for Middle Tennessee's growing population, economic development, and recreational use, addressing current low water levels and insufficient capacity of the Normandy Reservoir. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the project as a priority for state water resource management. It directly affects communities in Middle Tennessee reliant on Duck River water resources.

Maddy summarySB 1947 requires blood banks to follow a physician's order for a patient's own blood donation (autologous) or a donation designated for a specific patient (directed). It also mandates hospitals to permit such donations for scheduled medical procedures when ordered by a physician, unless medically unsafe. Both blood banks and hospitals may charge reasonable administrative fees but must still comply with all federal and state blood safety, testing, and compatibility requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting patients, blood banks, and hospitals in Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 2567 requires surface mining operators and applicants for water quality permits in Tennessee to provide county-certified documentation proving their projects comply with all local zoning laws before receiving permits. This applies directly to businesses seeking mineral extraction or water-related permits in counties where projects are located. The bill amends Tennessee law to add this certification requirement as a mandatory condition for permit approval, effective July 1, 2026. It does not change zoning rules but ensures projects meet existing local land-use regulations before state permits are issued.

Maddy summarySB 2563 prohibits procurement organizations (like organ donation agencies) from contacting a deceased person’s family, next of kin, or legal representative to request organ or tissue donations after death. The bill requires that any donation authorization must have been documented by the deceased while alive - through a signed form, state donor registry, advance directive, or legal document - before death. If no such prior authorization exists, organizations cannot seek consent from family members and face penalties: $50,000 for the first violation and up to $250,000 for repeat violations, plus potential forfeiture of financial benefits. This law directly affects organ procurement organizations and shifts authority from families to the deceased’s documented wishes.

Maddy summarySB 2487 requires Tennessee state employees who suspect improper government conduct (like fraud, theft, or conflicts of interest) or crimes committed in their official duties to report it to their supervisor. Supervisors must then forward these reports to the Attorney General within a specified timeframe. The bill prohibits job penalties (such as firing, demotion, or pay cuts) against employees who make good-faith reports and mandates all state agencies to create written policies about reporting procedures. It also requires the Attorney General to annually report on the number of submissions and how they were handled. This law directly affects all state employees and their supervisors across Tennessee government agencies.

Maddy summarySB 2564 repeals Tennessee’s convenience voting system, which allowed voters to cast ballots at any early voting location. Instead, it requires county election commissions to establish satellite voting locations that serve no more than four precincts each, must be evenly distributed across the county, and must use secure, serialized paper ballots handled precinct-by-precinct without mixing ballots. The bill mandates separate check-in processes for each precinct, secure ballot handling, and returning equipment to the county office after early voting ends. It directly affects county election offices and ensures ballot integrity by requiring precinct-specific procedures during early voting. The law takes effect upon enactment.

Maddy summarySB 2120 would require Tennessee airport authorities to pay enhanced compensation to property owners when taking land through eminent domain. The bill mandates that airport authorities cover all appraisal costs and pay 150% of the average value from certified appraisals (based on comparable properties not depressed by airport acquisitions), plus additional damages for relocation expenses, lost business profits, and increased loan interest rates. This applies specifically to airport authorities acting under Tennessee law and directly affects property owners whose land is taken for airport-related projects. The bill changes how compensation is calculated to address concerns that current standards do not fully cover financial and personal impacts of eminent domain takings.

Maddy summarySB 2124 requires Tennessee county election commissions to verify the citizenship status of every voter registration applicant using the federal SAVE program database before adding them to voter rolls. It also mandates quarterly full checks of all registered voters against this database to remove non-U.S. citizens from voter lists. The bill directly affects county election offices and ensures only eligible citizens are registered to vote. This policy change implements a specific verification process to prevent non-citizens from voting, using a federal database that is now free for election officials to access.

Maddy summarySB 2123 requires the state of Tennessee and its local governments (like counties and cities) to follow the same time limits for filing civil lawsuits as private individuals and businesses. It amends Tennessee law to explicitly state that statutes of limitation in civil matters apply to the state and its political subdivisions unless a specific law provides an exception. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, applying to lawsuits arising from events occurring on or after that date. This change ensures state and local governments face the same deadlines for civil claims as private parties, without altering existing time limits.