Sen. Mark Pody

Maddy summarySJR 36 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Robert Andrew Huddleston, a Wilson County resident and longtime missionary, for his 40+ years of service with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), founding Mission Enablers International (MEI), and community leadership. The resolution formally recognizes his work supporting international ministries, his nonprofit leadership, and his dedication to family and Tennessee. It was signed by the Governor on March 4, 2025, as a symbolic acknowledgment of his contributions. This resolution has no policy impact - it is purely a commemorative gesture with no direct effect on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summarySB 567 requires Tennessee county election commissions to make election records publicly accessible after elections. Within 15 days, they must provide electronic copies of records for a fee of up to $50. After final election certification, they must offer ballot images or cast vote records for inspection, and after 60 days, they must release original ballots with all voter identifying information redacted. This applies to all counties and directly affects voters seeking transparency in election processes.

Maddy summarySB 736 extends the deadline for certain educational organizations to file financial reports from March 1 to March 30 each year. It directly affects not-for-profit corporations and associations administering scholarship or educational cooperative plans in Tennessee, requiring them to submit their financial condition statements to the commissioner of commerce and insurance by the new date. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 4, Section 49-4-109(a), solely to change this filing deadline without altering any substantive requirements or funding mechanisms. This is a procedural adjustment with no impact on scholarship eligibility or financial aid programs.

Maddy summarySB 839 extends the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Health to submit an annual report on drug poisoning data from March 1 to April 1 each year. The report must include de-identified, aggregate claims data from hospital inpatient and outpatient discharges involving drug poisonings for the calendar year two years prior to the current year. This report is required to be sent to the governor, the Senate and House speakers, and relevant legislative committees. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law to update this submission timeline.

Maddy summarySB 733 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to submit an annual report on early grades reading performance to the Senate Education Committee and relevant House education committees by December 31 each year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, specifically updating Section 49-1-907 to establish this reporting requirement. It directly affects the Department of Education (which must prepare the report) and legislative committees (which will receive and review the report). This is a procedural change focused on transparency, not altering teaching methods, funding, or student requirements.

Maddy summarySB 732 updates Tennessee's voter identification requirements for in-person voting. It mandates that voters present one form of ID showing a photo, current residential address, expiration date, and proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill prohibits student IDs from colleges or universities as acceptable identification and specifies that acceptable IDs must include all these elements. These changes apply to voters casting ballots at polling places in Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 838 requires Tennessee's advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to study ways to protect the state's financial security, sovereignty, and resilience. The study must examine steps to ensure reliable access to essential goods (like food and medicine) during supply chain disruptions, reduce dependence on centralized systems (such as energy and communications networks), and plan for financial transactions if electronic systems fail. TACIR must submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by September 1, 2025. This bill does not create new laws but mandates a state-level assessment of preparedness for economic and supply chain challenges.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee bill (SB 565) requires all public school districts and public charter schools to review any new family life education materials recommended by the state's joint task force on children's justice and child sexual abuse before each school year begins. It amends Tennessee education laws (Titles 39 and 49) to establish this annual review as a mandatory step for schools adopting new curriculum. The policy directly affects every public school in Tennessee offering family life education courses. The requirement takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1231 prohibits Tennessee state and local governments (including counties, cities, and school districts) from adopting or implementing policies that restrict private property rights without due process, specifically when those policies originate from or are traceable to the United Nations, its subsidiaries, or other international policymaking organizations like the World Health Organization or World Economic Forum. The bill explicitly targets policies such as the UN’s Agenda 21 (1992), the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (2015), and net-zero emissions plans, banning state funding or agreements with entities promoting these initiatives. It allows individuals to sue governments for violations, with courts able to void noncompliant policies, award damages, and issue orders for compliance. Violations may also trigger criminal charges for officials under Tennessee’s "official oppression" statute.

Maddy summarySB 260 allows Tennessee meat producers to label meat or meat products as "mRNA free" if the animals were not administered mRNA vaccines. It defines "mRNA vaccine" as a substance using messenger RNA to create immunity and amends meat labeling laws to permit this labeling without violating other regulations. The bill directly affects meat sellers who choose to use this label, providing a new labeling option based on the absence of mRNA vaccines in the animals. It does not require labeling or restrict existing labeling practices beyond this specific provision.