Maddy summarySB 591 creates two new offenses in Tennessee law: a Class E felony for recklessly threatening mass violence against child care agencies, preschools, or religious institutions via any communication method, and a Class B misdemeanor for failing to report such threats. The bill requires anyone who knows of such a threat to immediately report it to local law enforcement and the affected institution, including specific details like the threat's nature and the person making it. It also allows courts to order threat-related defendants to undergo evaluations for potential harm and mandates restitution for disruptions caused by threats. The law directly affects individuals making or ignoring threats to vulnerable institutions, with penalties taking effect July 1, 2025.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 1603 requires Tennessee's Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study whether state and local governments are prepared to support a medical marijuana program. The study will examine the process for implementing such a program and assess the readiness of government entities, with all state agencies required to assist TACIR upon request. TACIR must submit its final report to the legislature by November 1, 2026. This bill does not create a medical marijuana program but aims to inform future legislative decisions by evaluating operational readiness.
Maddy summarySB 1683, the "Tennessee Child Care Hosting Safe Harbor Act," limits liability for employers and host entities (like businesses, nonprofits, or schools) that provide space for licensed child care providers. It shields these entities from civil lawsuits for provider negligence, unless the entity itself was grossly negligent or acted with willful misconduct. The law clarifies that merely providing space, utilities, or financial support does not make an entity liable for managing the child care operation. This bill applies to incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2026, and does not affect the liability of the child care providers themselves.
Maddy summarySB 1099 clarifies that court clerks who fail to collect and pay privilege taxes on litigation (like filing fees) become personally liable for those unpaid amounts as debts. It directly affects clerks of specified courts by making them responsible for these taxes under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 67-4-605(a) and references Title 40, changing the rule to state uncollected taxes are the clerk’s debt. This is a procedural adjustment to existing tax collection requirements, not a new policy.
Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a joint resolution that formally honors Grady Eades for receiving the 2026 Hillcourt Bronze Medal. The resolution recognizes Eades as a distinguished leader in Scouting who has contributed to preserving the history of the Boxwell Reservation summer camp. It acknowledges his various roles, including serving as an Eagle Scout, a volunteer manager, a history professor, and an Assistant Scoutmaster. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a public commendation of his service to the community and the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill honors Glenda Akin, a retired educator from Westmoreland High School, for setting a Guinness World Record for the longest career by a female teacher in the same school. The resolution formally recognizes her sixty-one years of service, which began in 1963, and acknowledges the school library that was renamed in her honor. It does not create new laws or change government policies but serves as a ceremonial tribute to her contributions to education in Tennessee.
Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 1044 is a ceremonial measure that formally honors the Westmoreland High School robotics team for their achievements. It specifically recognizes students Andrew Fowler and Hayden Eakle, along with their advisor Joey Garrison, for qualifying the team for the VEX Robotics World Championship. The resolution expresses the state's pride in their success and wishes them continued good fortune in the upcoming competition in St. Louis.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors Rita Taylor of Portland for her top-five finish in WKRN's Remarkable Women campaign. It formally recognizes her extensive community service, which includes mission trips to provide vision care, prison ministry work, anti-drug puppet shows in schools, and fundraising events for cancer research. The bill also acknowledges her ongoing volunteer work at a local food pantry and deliveries to homebound seniors. Ultimately, the resolution expresses the legislature's appreciation for her dedication to helping others and wishes her continued success.
Maddy summarySB 2569 requires Tennessee's state treasurer to allocate and deposit 10% of the investment income earned by the state pooled investment fund each fiscal year into the state highway fund by June 30. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 9-4-603 to mandate this annual transfer, directly affecting the state treasurer's responsibilities and the highway fund's funding source. The provision applies to all investment income generated by the pooled fund during the fiscal year, without altering existing highway funding mechanisms or spending priorities. It creates a new, automatic annual allocation process for a specific portion of state investment earnings. The bill does not change the total amount of highway funding or how those funds are used.
Maddy summarySB 2346 prohibits private schools participating in Tennessee's education savings account or individualized education account programs from hiring or retaining employees with documented child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse records. It requires the Department of Children's Services to review employee backgrounds upon request from eligible child care agencies and disclose findings only after due process rights are exhausted. The bill also mandates that schools cannot hire individuals listed on the state's vulnerable person or sex offender registries, and establishes emergency review procedures for immediate safety threats. This directly affects private schools serving students in these specific education programs and their employees with relevant abuse histories.