Sen. Jeff Yarbro

Maddy summarySB 1690 allows Tennessee school districts to create their own pooled investment funds for unspent public money, directly affecting all public school districts in the state. The bill requires school districts to establish these pools through written agreements that include investment policies following state guidelines, and mandates filing these agreements with the state comptroller. School districts must also submit to comptroller audits and follow specific procedures for other districts joining the pool. This change aligns school district investment practices with existing local government pool rules, aiming to better manage idle funds without requiring new tax revenue.

Maddy summarySB 2491, the "Safe Access to Schools and Child Services Act," prohibits public schools, local governments (including counties and municipalities), state agencies, and child service providers from requiring disclosure of a child’s immigration status as a condition for enrollment, attendance, or receiving services for children under 18. The law applies to public schools, charter schools, state departments, and local entities like utility districts, with exceptions only when federal or state law or a court order explicitly requires disclosure. It explicitly clarifies that the prohibition does not prevent compliance with federal immigration law or required cooperation with federal authorities. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections to implement these requirements across education and child service systems.

Maddy summarySB 2516 encourages Tennessee municipalities to study local housing needs and adopt standardized design guides for medium-density housing (such as townhouses or small apartment buildings). It requires cities to inventory housing stock, assess affordability gaps between household income and housing costs, and create "pattern books" with pre-approved designs and streamlined permitting processes. These pattern books would help developers build more housing options without altering neighborhood character by providing clear, approved layouts. The bill applies to all Tennessee cities and towns that choose to participate in these planning efforts.

Maddy summarySB 1329 shortens the required notice period for Tennessee state agencies planning to outsource facilities management services to private companies. Specifically, it reduces the timeframe from 30 to 21 days before signing such contracts, requiring agencies to notify lawmakers representing the affected legislative district. This change applies to contracts involving professional facilities management services within any state legislative district. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 41, 52, 57, 58, 66, and 67) to implement this adjustment. The measure directly affects state agencies and legislators in districts where outsourcing occurs.

Maddy summarySB 918 would increase the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft (like a jet ski) without adult supervision from 12 to 16 years. It would also require all operators to maintain proof of insurance in the same amounts as motor vehicle insurance. These changes would directly affect young people who currently operate such watercraft at age 12 and all personal watercraft users in Tennessee, with the age rule taking effect immediately upon enactment and the insurance requirement beginning July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2518 changes the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Transportation to submit its annual report on transportation modernization fund projects. Instead of submitting the report by January 1 each year, the department must now submit it by February 15. This procedural change affects the Department of Transportation and the specified legislative committees (Senate Transportation and Safety Committee, House Transportation Committee) that receive the report. The bill amends relevant sections of Tennessee law to reflect this new deadline.

Maddy summarySB 2398 requires large social media platforms (with 10 million+ monthly U.S. users) to implement systems allowing users to report unmarked or improperly age-restricted content harmful to minors. Platforms must acknowledge reports within 48 hours, act within seven business days (e.g., remove content or apply age restrictions), and publish semi-annual transparency reports detailing their responses. Parents or legal guardians of minors can sue platforms for failing to address repeated reports of unmarked harmful content, seeking up to $5,000 per violation, while the state attorney general may also enforce compliance through fines. The bill directly affects major online platforms and aims to improve content safety for minors through mandatory reporting systems and accountability measures.

Maddy summarySB 2300 requires private-sector employers in Tennessee to pay employees for unused accrued paid leave (such as vacation or annual leave) within 30 days of their separation from the company. It directly affects private employers and employees who leave their jobs without using all earned leave. The bill prohibits employers from forfeiting unused leave upon separation and allows limited accrual caps but not forfeiture. This applies to employment contracts or policies modified after the law takes effect.

Maddy summarySB 2519 updates Tennessee's consumer protection laws to allow identity theft complaint submissions (regarding security freezes) via electronic means approved by the Federal Trade Commission and Tennessee Attorney General, instead of requiring only written submissions or website filings. This change directly affects consumers who need to report identity theft or request security freezes. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections (including Titles 4, 7, 39, and 47) related to private data protection to align with federal electronic filing standards. The key mechanism replaces restrictive language with flexible electronic submission options through authorized federal channels. This simplifies the process for consumers while maintaining compliance with federal guidelines.

Maddy summarySB 2616 extends the response time for businesses (referred to as "controllers") under Tennessee's Information Protection Act. It increases the deadline from 60 to 65 days for businesses to provide written responses to consumers who appeal a denied request for personal data. The bill requires businesses to explain their decision in writing within this extended timeframe. This change directly affects consumers filing appeals and the businesses responsible for handling those requests.