Sen. Janice Bowling

Maddy summarySB 493 changes Tennessee's civil asset forfeiture law by raising the standard of proof required for the state to keep seized property from a "preponderance of evidence" (more likely than not) to "clear and convincing evidence" (high confidence). This applies to cases under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-33-210 and 40-33-213, directly affecting individuals whose assets (like cash or vehicles) are seized by law enforcement. The bill requires prosecutors to meet a significantly higher evidentiary bar before forfeiting property, making it harder for the state to retain seized items. It takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to seizures occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 1033 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally inject, release, or disperse chemicals into Tennessee's atmosphere with the purpose of altering weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It also prohibits supplying materials used for such weather modification activities. Violators face up to 11 months in jail and a $100,000 fine per violation. The bill explicitly targets intentional weather manipulation, affecting anyone conducting such actions within Tennessee, and amends state codes to include weather modification under relevant agency responsibilities and enforcement provisions.

Maddy summarySB 1263 allows Grundy County (population 13,500-13,550 per 2020 census) to regulate the land application of biosolids instead of state authorities. It amends Tennessee law to grant Grundy County's legislative body direct authority over this specific activity, removing it from state regulatory oversight under Title 69. The bill explicitly targets counties within this narrow population range, excluding all other counties from this exception. This change modifies existing state regulations without altering the broader policy on biosolids management.

Maddy summarySB 475 modifies Tennessee's sentencing rules for individuals convicted of first-degree murder after July 1, 1995, who receive life imprisonment. It reduces the required service for release eligibility from 100% of 60 years (60 years total) to 60% of 60 years (36 years), minus time earned for good behavior. However, it mandates a minimum 25-year sentence if the offender was under 25 at the time of the crime, or 30 years if 26 or older. This bill directly affects life-sentenced murder convicts in Tennessee, changing when they may become eligible for parole under specific age-based timelines.

Maddy summarySB 483 prohibits Tennessee public airports offering commercial services from allowing third-party vendors (like private security companies) to use standard or TSA PreCheck security lanes. It exempts vendors who have secured their own dedicated TSA lanes at the airport, and clarifies that airlines themselves are not considered third-party vendors for their own passenger priority services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, aiming to regulate airport security lane access without restricting airlines' existing priority offerings.

Maddy summarySB 492 requires Tennessee safety inspectors to issue out-of-service orders for commercial drivers who cannot read or speak English sufficiently to understand traffic signs, communicate with officials, or complete required reports, as mandated by federal rules. Employers face a $500 fine per violation (classified as a Class C misdemeanor) and may also incur civil penalties under federal regulations. Drivers must pass a state-developed English proficiency test to reinstate their license, with exemptions for those holding a hearing exemption but capable of reading and writing English. This bill directly affects commercial drivers and their employers in Tennessee, aligning state enforcement with federal language standards for commercial driver licenses.

Maddy summarySB 1042 lowers the minimum age requirement for obtaining an initial school bus driver endorsement in Tennessee from 25 to 21 years old. This change directly affects individuals aged 21 to 24 who wish to drive school buses, making it possible for them to qualify without waiting until age 25. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 5-8-102 to replace the age requirement and removes an existing subsection (55-50-302(e)) related to the endorsement process. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summarySB 1044, a proposed Tennessee bill, would require parents or guardians enrolling students in public schools or charter schools to submit one of four specific documents (like a U.S. birth certificate, voter ID, passport, or military ID) unless they pay an amount equal to the per-pupil state and local funding for the school district. The bill directly affects families enrolling children in Tennessee public schools, particularly those of non-Tennessee residents or foreign nationals, as it aims to ensure they cover the full cost of education. Key provisions include listing acceptable documents, allowing payment as an alternative, and requiring schools to track document submissions without retaining copies. The bill failed in committee in March 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 466 amends Tennessee law to allow civil lawsuits against websites or commercial entities that publish content harmful to minors. It specifies that injured parties can seek actual damages, nominal damages (small monetary awards), punitive damages, court costs, and attorney fees if a website violates obscenity laws. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to issue guidance helping businesses comply with age restrictions for such content. This directly affects website operators and commercial entities hosting content deemed harmful to minors under Tennessee law.

Maddy summarySB 467 amends Tennessee law to allow individuals to sue commercial entities (like businesses) that knowingly handle obscene material, such as by possessing, promoting, or distributing it. If a court finds a violation, the entity could face civil liability for actual damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The bill explicitly protects internet service providers from liability for content they don’t create, such as websites or user-generated material. It applies to violations of existing obscenity laws without requiring a prior criminal conviction.