Sen. Bill Powers

Maddy summarySB 2608 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to create blue envelopes for drivers with developmental or intellectual disabilities and green envelopes for drivers with mental illness. These envelopes would hold essential documents (driver license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and contact card) and include communication guidelines to help law enforcement interact appropriately during encounters. The program would begin January 1, 2027, with envelopes available at all driver services centers and county clerk offices. It directly affects drivers with these specific conditions by providing a standardized way to share critical information during police interactions.

Maddy summarySB 506 modifies Tennessee law to exempt local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools from assigning third-grade students not proficient in English language arts a tutor through the state-funded Tennessee Accelerating Literacy and Learning Corps (TALLC) program if the state fails to appropriate sufficient funds. It also ties participation in the learning loss remediation program to available state funding, requiring the state to appropriate funds first. This change directly affects third-grade students needing literacy support and schools that would otherwise be required to provide tutoring. The bill shifts the obligation from schools to the state’s fiscal commitment, making tutoring and program participation contingent on appropriated funds rather than automatic requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1487 requires Tennessee public schools and charter schools to implement a computer-based system for teachers and staff to document early warning signs of student behavioral, safety, or health issues (such as bullying, mental health concerns, or threats). The system must align with existing school policies, automatically notify school safety teams when concerns are logged, and include annual reports to the state education department with anonymized data on the types and frequency of concerns. Schools must train staff on using the system and comply with privacy laws like FERPA, with potential state funding penalties for non-compliance. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not apply to schools already using a compliant system before that date.

Maddy summarySB 2444 requires the Tennessee Department of Safety to submit written reports to the Department of Revenue about motor vehicle thefts or recoveries, rather than verbal or informal notifications. This change directly affects state agencies handling vehicle records - specifically the Department of Safety and the Department of Revenue. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Section 55-5-103(b)(2), by adding ", in writing," after the word "notify" in the existing requirement. The law takes effect upon becoming law, with no additional policy changes to vehicle theft procedures.

Maddy summarySB 2052 amends Tennessee law to allow the City of Clarksville (population 166,700-166,800 per 2020 census) and Montgomery County (population 220,000-220,100 per 2020 census) to join the state's local land bank program. The bill expands eligibility by adding specific population thresholds to existing criteria in Tennessee Code Title 13, Chapter 30. This change directly affects Clarksville and Montgomery County by enabling them to use the land bank program for managing vacant or abandoned properties. The policy change is purely procedural, creating new eligibility without altering land bank operations or funding.

Maddy summarySJR 567 is a memorial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Representative Jeff Burkhart, a two-term state representative from Clarksville who died in office. The resolution commemorates his 22-year career with Clarksville Fire Rescue (where he served as Assistant Fire Chief), his service on the Clarksville City Council, and his dedication to Montgomery County as a small business owner and public servant. It extends condolences to his family, including his daughter Meredith Burkhart and fiancée Cindy Greene, while reflecting on his legacy of community service. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a symbolic tribute to his life and work.

Maddy summarySB 1441 would create a fifth division of Montgomery County’s General Sessions and Juvenile Courts in Tennessee, adding a new court location with the same jurisdiction and powers as existing divisions. It establishes a new judge position for this division, to be appointed by the county commission until 2026, then elected every eight years starting in 2026. The bill requires the county commission to provide dedicated facilities and staffing for the new division and updates the rotation of the presiding judge role to include all five divisions. This change requires approval by a two-thirds vote of Montgomery County’s legislative body to take effect. The bill is currently pending local approval as a procedural court-structure amendment.

Maddy summarySB 505 allows veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to a veterans treatment court in a neighboring county (like Montgomery County, which has a population of 220,000-220,100 per census). It directly affects eligible veterans who qualify for veterans treatment court in the new county and must agree to waive their right to a jury trial in their original county. The transfer requires three conditions: the receiving court would have jurisdiction if the crime occurred there, the defendant signs a written waiver, and the district attorney general for the new county consents. This bill amends Tennessee law to expand access to veterans treatment courts across qualifying contiguous counties.

Maddy summarySB 950 creates a task force within Tennessee’s education system to prepare for potential federal deregulation of K-12 education laws, regulations, and guidance. The task force will analyze how changes in federal requirements might impact Tennessee schools and develop state-level responses. This bill directly affects Tennessee’s K-12 public education system and state education officials responsible for compliance. It amends a specific deadline in state law (changing the annual reporting date from July 10 to July 20) but does not alter federal policies or directly change school operations. The task force’s work is preparatory, focusing on readiness rather than immediate policy shifts.

Maddy summarySB 346 requires schools and similar educational facilities to conduct full evacuation fire drills at least once every 30 school days, with two drills held during the first 30 days of the school year. It also mandates four annual fire safety announcements for students, with schools developing the content. Schools must document all drills (including times/dates) and make records available to state fire marshals for review. This law supersedes any conflicting local or municipal fire drill requirements.