Sen. Jeff Yarbro

Maddy summarySB 813 changes Tennessee's penalties for criminal exposure to HIV. It reduces the offense of exposure without HIV transmission from a Class C felony to a Class B misdemeanor. The bill also creates a new Class C felony for cases where HIV is transmitted to another person. These changes will directly affect individuals charged with HIV exposure crimes under Tennessee law, with effective dates starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1206 creates a state grant program called the Urban Green Space Development Fund to help local governments and nonprofits purchase or protect green spaces (like parks and community gardens) in urban areas. The fund provides grants for land acquisition and protective agreements, requiring nonprofits to contribute matching non-state funds. It also authorizes a separate program to support community-led projects that reduce air pollution. The bill establishes clear rules for grant eligibility, matching requirements, and perpetual land use restrictions to ensure projects serve public recreational and environmental needs.

Maddy summarySB 1250 extends the deadline for Tennessee's Medicaid agency (TennCare) to submit annual reports from 60 to 75 days after the fiscal year ends. The report must include details on program operations, spending, county-level medical assistance statistics, and related rules. This change affects the Department of Finance and Administration, which manages TennCare under the Medical Assistance Act of 1968. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated sections 71-5-105(a)(5) and related provisions to implement the extended timeline.

Maddy summarySB 1260 designates Nashville as Tennessee's official "hot chicken capital" by amending state law (TCA Title 4). This symbolic bill does not create new regulations or affect any residents, businesses, or government programs - it simply recognizes Nashville's cultural association with hot chicken through official state designation. The bill has no legal or financial impact beyond this recognition. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 2 sentences per guidelines.)

Maddy summarySB 1246, the "Clean Energy and Jobs Act," creates two key programs to support clean energy growth in Tennessee. It establishes the Clean Energy Workforce Training Fund to provide grants for job training in clean energy fields (like solar or wind), administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The bill also creates a 30% tax credit for renewable energy businesses (e.g., solar installers) and small businesses (50 or fewer employees) to offset sales/use tax paid on qualifying systems, devices, or sustainable practices - such as eco-friendly materials or recycling equipment. These provisions directly affect renewable energy companies and small businesses seeking to adopt greener operations.

Maddy summarySJR 86 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Tennessee cities and towns to impose fines for violations of local ordinances without requiring a jury trial, up to limits set by the state legislature. If passed, municipalities could directly issue fines for local rule violations (like parking or noise offenses) at amounts determined by the General Assembly. This change would override existing constitutional language requiring jury trials for such penalties. The bill is a procedural amendment, not a new law, and would require voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summarySJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Tennessee voters to directly propose new laws through a petition process, bypassing the General Assembly. It requires initiative petitions to gather signatures from at least 5% of voters who participated in the last gubernatorial election, file 6 months before an even-year November election, and cover only one subject. If approved by a majority of voters, the proposed law would then be sent to the General Assembly, which must act within 90 days - approving it (making it law July 1), rejecting it, or taking no action (which also makes it law). Failed initiatives cannot be resubmitted for 4 years, and rejected laws cannot be resubmitted for 2 years. This change would directly affect all registered voters (as petitioners) and the General Assembly (as the body reviewing proposals).

Maddy summarySB 809, the "Tennessee Cannabis Act," would establish a regulatory framework for cannabis in Tennessee, primarily affecting adults aged 21+ and businesses seeking to operate cannabis dispensaries. It defines key terms like "cannabis," "edible marijuana products," and "dispense," while requiring child-resistant packaging and prohibiting advertising near schools or parks. The bill creates licensing processes for cannabis businesses, sets standards for product testing and labeling, and outlines penalties for violations. This legislation would directly change how cannabis is legally sold and consumed in Tennessee, shifting from prohibition to a regulated system.

Maddy summarySB 1337 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to submit an annual written report on narcotics investigations by March 1 each year to the committee of the house of representatives with jurisdiction over criminal matters. This bill changes the current reporting deadline (which lacked a specific date) to a fixed March 1 submission date, ensuring earlier transparency for legislative oversight. The legislation directly affects the TBI's reporting obligations and the relevant legislative committee, updating how criminal justice data is shared. It amends multiple sections of Tennessee law related to criminal justice procedures to implement this new timeline.

Maddy summarySB 1347 reduces the requirement for witnesses when Tennessee's Alcoholic Beverage Commission destroys contraband equipment or property, changing the rule from needing "at least two credible witnesses" to "at least one credible witness." This directly affects Commission officers who handle the destruction of distillation equipment, paraphernalia, or personal property seized during enforcement actions. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 57, Section 57-9-101(c), to implement this procedural change without altering the underlying enforcement authority.