Sen. Heidi Campbell

Maddy summarySB 2440, the "Pot for Potholes Act," establishes a regulatory framework for legal marijuana cultivation, processing, and retail sales in Tennessee, administered by the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects licensed businesses (growers, processors, retailers) and adults aged 21+ who can purchase marijuana products. Key provisions include requiring child-resistant packaging, batch tracking for safety, restrictions near community facilities like parks and schools, and mandating that tax revenue fund road repairs (the "potholes" reference). The bill amends multiple state code titles to create licensing requirements, safety standards, and definitions for cannabis products like edibles and concentrates.

Maddy summarySB 2112 requires data centers in Tennessee with over 20 megawatts of power capacity to register with the Department of Revenue starting January 1, 2027. Electric utilities, water utilities, and fuel suppliers providing service to these registered data centers must report their usage and rates monthly to the department. The Department of Revenue will compile and publish this data on its website to show each data center's fuel, electricity, and water consumption. Non-compliance by data center operators can result in daily civil penalties up to $25,000.

Maddy summarySB 1104 requires gun dealers in Tennessee to wait three days before transferring a firearm to a purchaser aged 17 to 20, starting from when the transaction is first initiated by the buyer. This law directly affects gun dealers and young adult purchasers in that age range. The key provision mandates a mandatory waiting period for these specific transactions, as amended to Tennessee Code Section 39-17-1316(c)(5). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all firearm transfers meeting the age criteria on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 1344 amends Tennessee law to allow retail package stores (liquor stores) to operate within the general services district of a metropolitan government, provided that government has approved off-premise liquor sales through a local option election. This change directly affects metropolitan governments that have held such elections and retailers seeking licenses in those areas. The bill removes previous restrictions by updating Tennessee Code Sections 57-3-106 and 57-3-205 to explicitly permit package store licenses in general services districts. It does not create new sales options but adjusts licensing rules to align with existing local election results.

Maddy summarySB 632 bans specific assault weapons and certain modifications in Tennessee, directly affecting residents who own these firearms. It prohibits possession of listed assault weapons (including common rifles like AR-15s and AK-47s) and requires owners to apply for a certificate by July 1, 2025, if they owned such weapons before that date. The bill also creates a Class E felony for possessing or selling parts designed to convert semiautomatic rifles into rapid-fire weapons. These provisions aim to restrict access to certain firearms and components through specific bans and registration requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2016, if enacted, would make records of certain landlord-tenant eviction cases confidential and shield them from public access. This applies to cases filed on or after July 1, 2026, that are dismissed (by court or parties), have no pending appeals, and either have passed three years since filing or include a written agreement by all parties to keep records private. The bill specifies that such records remain accessible to courts, court staff, and the involved parties but are not open for public inspection under existing laws. It amends Tennessee Code sections related to court records and unlawful detainer actions, taking effect upon becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 642 creates the "Tennessee Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms Act," allowing Tennesseans to voluntarily restrict their own firearm access by filing a waiver with their county circuit court clerk. The waiver, verified with government-issued ID, prohibits firearm purchases and requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to enter it into background check systems within 24 hours, effectively blocking firearm transactions. Individuals can revoke the waiver after seven days, and the TBI removes their name from background systems 21 days later, reinstating handgun carry permits if applicable. This process is confidential, with false statements on waiver forms punishable as perjury.

Maddy summarySJR 560 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2026 as "Spay/Neuter Awareness Month" in Tennessee. It aims to raise public awareness about the benefits of spaying and neutering pets to reduce pet homelessness, support animal welfare, and promote responsible ownership. The resolution does not create new laws, regulations, or funding - it serves solely as a commemorative observance to encourage community engagement with local animal shelters and spay/neuter programs. This designation applies statewide, recognizing efforts by shelters and organizations working to address animal homelessness.

Maddy summarySB 2656 requires Tennessee's Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study homelessness in the state and identify effective strategies to address its rising prevalence. TACIR must complete this study using existing resources and submit a detailed report to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, the relevant House committee on homelessness, and the legislative librarian by January 31, 2027. This bill does not create new funding or programs but mandates a data-driven review to inform future legislative decisions on homelessness. The study aims to provide concrete recommendations for state lawmakers to address homelessness trends.

Maddy summarySB 2111 limits Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) case managers to a maximum of 12 active cases involving no more than 12 families or 20 monitored children at any time. It requires DCS to resolve each active case within 12 months, mandating a juvenile court status review hearing if resolution isn't achieved by that deadline. The bill replaces the previous cap of 20 active cases or 20 monitored children with these stricter limits and timelines. This policy change directly affects DCS case managers and the agency's operational structure, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.