Sen. Tom Hatcher

Maddy summarySB 561 removes the requirement for officials to monitor boating safety examinations in Tennessee. It replaces fixed statutory fees for boating safety certificates and replacement cards with authority for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to set those fees. The bill directly affects boaters needing safety certificates and TWRA, which now manages fee-setting instead of the state legislature. Key changes include deleting the word "monitored" from the law and allowing TWRA to establish fees for certificates and replacements. The bill became effective April 15, 2025, after Governor approval.

Maddy summarySJR 361 is a ceremonial resolution commending Darryan Walker for her service as a legislative intern working for Senator Tom Hatcher during Tennessee's 2025 legislative session. It recognizes her academic achievements at Tennessee State University and her extracurricular involvement with student leadership groups. The resolution does not create new laws or alter policies - it is solely a formal expression of appreciation with no direct impact on constituents or legislation. It was signed by the Governor on April 24, 2025, as a symbolic gesture honoring her contributions.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors India Bramblett of Blount County for receiving Tennessee's Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. It recognizes her community service as an example of the 1.3 million Tennessee volunteers who contribute over 99 million hours annually to their communities. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges her contributions through a legislative expression of appreciation.

Maddy summarySJR 330 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dale Cunningham of Blount County for receiving Tennessee's Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. It recognizes his community service as part of broader acknowledgment of Tennessee's 1.3 million volunteers who contribute over 99 million service hours annually, valued at $2.6 billion. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, expressing legislative appreciation without creating new laws or affecting any specific group. It was signed by the Governor on April 10, 2025, as a formal commendation.

Maddy summarySJR 328 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Andrew Jones of Polk County for receiving Tennessee's Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. It directly recognizes Jones as a community volunteer who exemplifies the "spirit of the Volunteer State" through his service. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's honor and congratulations but does not create any new laws, funding, or obligations. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summarySJR 327 is a symbolic resolution honoring Kenzlie Ballew, a Polk County resident, for receiving the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. It recognizes her community leadership and highlights Tennessee volunteers' contributions, who collectively provide over 99 million hours of service annually, adding $2.6 billion to the state economy. The resolution, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor, serves as a formal expression of appreciation with no legal requirements or policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 965 allows tourism development authorities in Tennessee to request that a municipality deannex property they own. Specifically, these authorities can petition a city to remove their property from municipal boundaries, provided the deannexation doesn't create a "surrounded" unincorporated area. The bill requires petitioners to submit a map, gives municipalities 30 days to assess any debt owed, and sets a 60-day timeline for the deannexation to take effect. This would shift jurisdictional responsibility from the city to the authority for the excluded property, except for debts incurred after annexation. The bill was withdrawn on April 9, 2025, before final passage.

Maddy summarySB 119 updates Tennessee's legal definition of "manufactured home" to match the federal definition in 42 U.S.C. § 5402(6), which currently excludes self-propelled recreational vehicles (RVs). This change affects how the state classifies and regulates manufactured homes, ensuring alignment with federal standards and removing RVs from this category. The bill amends three sections of Tennessee law (Titles 47, 55, and 68) to adopt the federal definition without modification. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, requiring state agencies and local governments to use this updated definition for regulatory purposes.

Maddy summarySB 722 changes retirement benefits for Tennessee General Assembly members who joined on or after July 1, 2014. It requires the retirement board to automatically switch their coverage from a hybrid retirement plan to a legacy plan after they complete 10 years of service. The bill also mandates that retired legislators with 10 or more years of service receive retiree health coverage starting July 1, 2024. These changes apply to current and future legislators meeting the service and start-date criteria, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 38 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Fire Chief Roger Robinson of the Alcoa Fire Department upon his retirement after 45 years of service, including 17 years as chief. The resolution recognizes his leadership in achieving national fire service accreditation (CFAI) for the department in 2013, 2017, and 2023, and securing an ISO 1 rating in 2021 - the highest possible score. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is a formal tribute from the Tennessee General Assembly. The resolution was signed by the Governor on March 4, 2025, and presents no legislative changes.