Sen. Ferrell Haile

Maddy summarySB 2322 shortens the required public notice period for zoning hearings in Tennessee from 21 to 14 calendar days. This change directly affects local governments (like city councils or county commissions) that must notify the public before holding hearings to adopt or amend zoning ordinances. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (including Title 13) to implement this reduced notice period. The key provision is a concrete policy change to the timing requirement for public engagement on zoning decisions.

Maddy summarySB 2568 would apply Tennessee's sales and use tax to advertising services purchased by large businesses with annual revenue of $100 million or more. This includes digital, TV, radio, billboard, print, and sponsorship advertising used to promote products or services. The law directly affects only the largest businesses in the state, exempting smaller companies. The tax would take effect on January 1, 2027, after rules are finalized by the Department of Revenue.

Maddy summarySB 1596 creates a 50% tax credit for Tennessee businesses that donate to charities approved by the governor’s faith-based initiatives office. The credit applies to contributions made between 2027-2031, with a yearly limit of $5,000 per business. To qualify, charities must serve at least 50% Tennessee residents (including 25% from designated high-need counties) and meet specific project criteria focused on community values. Businesses can claim the credit for up to 10 approved charities per year, but no more than 20% of their credit can go to a single organization.

Maddy summarySB 2131 regulates accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary housing units (like in-law suites or backyard cottages) on lots zoned for single-family or duplex homes. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing more restrictive rules on ADUs than on primary homes, such as requiring smaller sizes (minimum 850 sq ft), banning ADUs on single-family lots, mandating owner occupancy, or limiting parking. It also requires local governments to process ADU building permits within 60 days without discretionary review or extra hearings. This bill directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs and local governments managing zoning and building codes across Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 1601 would require real estate investment trusts (REITs) owning 10 or more rental properties in a Tennessee municipality to register with local building code enforcement. These REITs would need to provide their contact information and the exact addresses of all properties they manage. Municipalities could impose a $50 weekly fine for non-registration or failure to update information, but must offer a hearing before levying penalties. The bill does not require fees for registration and applies only to large-scale REIT landlords, not individual property owners.

Maddy summarySB 1987 requires courts to order evaluations by qualified mental health professionals in contested child custody, dependency/neglect, adoption, and guardianship cases where a guardian ad litem (GAL) is appointed, unless the court finds an evaluation unnecessary in writing. The evaluation report must detail the child's medical, psychological, and behavioral history and condition, and becomes strong evidence of the child's best interests unless challenged as incomplete or unreliable. The GAL must consider the report in their recommendations, and if they disagree significantly, they must explain why in writing. Courts must also allocate evaluation costs among parties based on their ability to pay.

Maddy summarySB 1755 (Tennessee) requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services and other agencies to provide court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) with full access to all relevant case information about a child, parents, or involved organizations within 10 business days of a CASA's request. This includes historical and current records, excluding information related to active criminal investigations. The bill directly affects CASAs, who advocate for children in custody and placement decisions, by ensuring judicial officers receive more comprehensive data. It amends Tennessee law (TCA Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 1) to standardize information sharing between agencies and CASAs during juvenile court proceedings.

Maddy summarySJR 875 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Donald Kenton Wright, a former Tennessee State Senator (1992-1996) and mayor of Gallatin (1997-2006), for his decades of public service, community leadership, and contributions as an educator and author. The resolution expresses the General Assembly’s condolences to his family and commemorates his life, including his military service, dedication to family values, and literary works. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or groups, as it is a symbolic tribute with no binding legal effect. The resolution was unanimously passed by the Senate, concurred by the House, and signed by the Governor in February 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 557 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Robert Earl Dudgeon on his 90th birthday. It recognizes his military service as a U.S. Army Specialist, his lifelong residence in Gallatin, and his contributions to his family, community, and country. The resolution formally expresses the legislature's best wishes for his birthday without creating new laws or affecting policy. This procedural bill directly celebrates Dudgeon's personal milestone as a respected local citizen.

Maddy summarySJR 552 is a commemorative resolution honoring Susan O. Binns, a Nashville-based pioneer in addiction recovery who founded YANA (You Are Never Alone) in 1996 and the Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences in 2008. The resolution, passed unanimously by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor, recognizes her work establishing recovery housing programs and her national leadership in advancing ethical standards for addiction treatment. It does not create new laws or policies but formally commemorates her legacy and expresses condolences to her family.