Sen. Jeff Yarbro

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution honors Molly Foster, a third-grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School in Franklin, Tennessee, for her selection as a Curriculum Associates Extraordinary Educator. The resolution formally recognizes her professional achievements, including her students' exceptional academic growth and her role as a Model Classroom Teacher and member of the Writing Revolution team. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of her contributions to education.

Maddy summarySB 1932 requires Tennessee state and local elected officials' personally identifying information (like home addresses and phone numbers) to be kept confidential by government entities, with limited exceptions. It mandates redaction of this information wherever possible but does not restrict access to other public records or close existing personnel files. The bill explicitly allows law enforcement, courts, and other government agencies to access this information for official duties, and officials can choose to authorize public disclosure of their details. This law affects all elected state and local officials and takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2522 prohibits Tennessee banks, credit unions, and savings associations from converting customer funds into digital currencies (including cryptocurrency) without the consumer's express, written consent. The bill requires banks to obtain explicit written authorization before digitizing money held for consumers. Violations could trigger fines of up to $1,000 per incident or allow affected customers to sue for damages, including attorney fees. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2615 changes a deadline for taxpayers claiming excise tax exemptions in Tennessee. It extends the filing deadline from the 15th to the 20th day of the fourth month following the first tax year for which the exemption is claimed. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Section 67-4-2008(f), replacing "fifteenth day" with "twentieth day" in the relevant section. This directly affects businesses and individuals eligible for excise tax exemptions under current law.

Maddy summarySB 1258 would change a Tennessee election deadline for municipalities requiring nonresident property owners to vote by absentee ballot. Specifically, it extends the filing deadline from 60 days to 75 days before an election, requiring such ordinances to be submitted to the county election commission by the new deadline. This directly affects Tennessee municipalities that adopt these specific voting rules for nonresident property owners. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2 and Title 41, solely to adjust this administrative timeline without altering voting eligibility or procedures.

Maddy summarySB 1853 requires Tennessee's Department of Human Services to apply for federal summer food benefits by January 1, 2027. The bill mandates applying for the federal Summer EBT program to provide nutrition assistance via electronic benefit cards during summer months for eligible children who rely on school meals. This directly affects low-income children in Tennessee who would otherwise lose access to meals when school is not in session. The key provision is the deadline-driven application for existing federal funding, amending Tennessee Code Titles 49 and 71 to implement this requirement.

Maddy summarySB 2395, titled the "Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act," prohibits state and local government employees or contractors from purchasing or licensing personal data instead of obtaining a warrant to access an individual's information. It creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for violations, directly affecting government officials who handle personal data under existing warrant requirements. Key exceptions include emergencies (like life-threatening situations), consent from the individual, or federal law mandates. The law amends multiple Tennessee code sections to enforce this requirement, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1933 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to provide inmate records to any state legislator upon written request. Legislators must specify the inmate's name and sign a confidentiality agreement before reviewing records, which must remain in the department's possession during the review. The bill enables legislators to check whether correction laws are being followed for inmates in custody. It does not change existing laws but creates a process for legislative oversight of correctional compliance.

Maddy summarySB 1830, the Intercollegiate Student-Athlete Protection Act, creates a new criminal offense for harassment targeting student athletes in Tennessee. It specifically prohibits threats related to athletic performance or repeated sports-related bullying (including cyberbullying) that causes emotional distress. A first offense is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor, while second or subsequent offenses are Class E felonies. The bill also grants victims a private right to sue convicted perpetrators, allowing recovery of at least $75,000 per violation plus actual damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law applies to all student athletes at Tennessee colleges participating in intercollegiate sports and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryTennessee's SB 2620 legalizes composting human remains (called "organic human reduction") as a formal disposal method, requiring oversight by the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. The bill establishes new rules for facilities performing this service, including mandatory permits from the Department of Health and specific requirements for identifying remains using permanent tags in containers. It defines key terms like "organic human reduction facility" and mandates that only donated bodies used for medical research may bypass certain permit steps. The law directly affects funeral directors, facilities offering this service, and families choosing this disposal option, with concrete changes to existing regulations in Titles 62 and 63 of Tennessee law.