Sen. Janice Bowling

Maddy summaryTennessee's SB 471 (Success Sequence Act) requires public schools to include age-appropriate instruction about a specific sequence of life milestones in family life curriculum: obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent, entering the workforce or pursuing college/vocational training, getting married, and then having children. The bill mandates that this instruction must present research on the positive outcomes linked to this sequence, such as lower poverty rates and higher college graduation rates. It directly affects Tennessee public school districts, specifically their family life education programs, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to all subsequent school years.

Maddy summarySR 135 is a ceremonial Senate resolution commending Serena Prince for her service as a legislative intern working for Senator Janice Bowling during the 2025 legislative session. It recognizes her contributions to the legislative process, educational background, and prior work in political initiatives. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect and does not create new policies or affect any laws or individuals beyond the symbolic recognition. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate and signed by the Senate Speaker on April 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 494, the "Family Right to Educational Emancipation (FREE) Act," creates a new category of home schooling in Tennessee. Parents or guardians who choose this option for children aged 6-17 are exempt from mandatory school attendance laws, state testing requirements, and data reporting to schools or government. The bill also prohibits state agencies from denying driver’s licenses or permits based on a student’s school attendance or enrollment status. This directly affects families opting for this specific home education path, removing most state regulatory requirements while maintaining the parent’s authority over curriculum and instruction.

Maddy summarySB 480 (the "Tennessee Property Rights Protection Act") revises Tennessee housing law to protect non-blighted properties from eminent domain. It deletes the broad definition of "blighted areas" and replaces it with a property-by-property standard for "blighted property," ensuring only properties meeting specific safety/code violations (and not fixed within a reasonable time) can be targeted. Housing authorities can now acquire property without eminent domain through negotiated sales and pay above fair market value for non-blighted properties located in areas designated as blighted. These changes aim to prevent well-maintained properties from being taken while preserving housing authorities' ability to redevelop truly blighted properties. The law took effect on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1031, the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act," requires Tennessee's health departments and state agencies to align all public communications about FDA-approved drugs and medical products with the FDA's official labels. It directly affects the Tennessee Department of Health, local health departments, and state executive branch employees who share information about medications or health products. The bill prohibits promoting claims that conflict with FDA labels, mandates internal reviews by July 2025, and requires annual compliance reports to the legislature. Violations trigger investigations by the comptroller, with potential penalties for noncompliance. This law aims to ensure state health messaging is scientifically accurate and consistent with federal standards.

Maddy summarySB 472 (now Public Chapter 134) requires all residential educational programs in Tennessee - such as schools, camps, or facilities allowing minors to stay overnight - to separate restrooms, changing areas, and showers by "immutable biological sex" as defined in state law. It applies to every program allowing minors access to residential facilities, regardless of program type or duration. The law mandates this segregation for all such facilities, directly affecting how these programs manage their physical spaces. The bill does not address gender identity or provide exceptions, focusing solely on enforcing biological sex-based separation in these specific areas.

Maddy summarySB 1047 would prohibit foreign-based organizations and U.S. groups receiving foreign funding from making campaign contributions (including advertising, campaign staff, or training) to candidates or political committees. It also bars Tennessee Senate and House speakers, and the Secretary of State, from accepting such funding for election administration. The bill directly affects political campaigns, election officials, and entities receiving foreign financial support. If enacted, it would amend Tennessee election laws to restrict foreign influence in campaign financing and election operations.

Maddy summarySB 1040 would prohibit political campaign committees based outside Tennessee from making contributions (including non-cash donations) to influence primary elections for the Republican Party in Tennessee. It bans out-of-state committees from contributing to candidates or other committees aiming to affect these primaries, with specific definitions for "primary election" and "statewide political party" (determined by which party controls both legislative chambers after July 1, 2025). The bill would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted. This directly affects out-of-state campaign groups and Tennessee candidates in Republican primary elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Tennessee counties handle real estate transfer and mortgage tax collections. It increases the commission county tax collectors retain from 2.4% to 5% of these taxes. Half of that commission (2.5%) must go to the county general fund, while the remaining half (2.5%) is allocated to five specific state funds: wetlands protection, local parks, state lands, farmland conservation, and the state general fund. The bill directly affects county tax offices and determines the distribution of these tax revenues.

Maddy summarySB 1037 amends Tennessee's open meetings law to extend the deadline for the Office of Open Records Counsel to review and approve governing bodies' plans for electronic communication during meetings. Specifically, it increases the review period from 30 to 45 days. This change directly affects local governments (like city councils and school boards) that must submit compliance plans for virtual or hybrid meetings. The bill makes no substantive changes to meeting rules, only adjusting the administrative timeline for plan approval.