Sen. Bill Powers

Maddy summarySB 951 changes the deadline for a required school safety report from February 1 to January 15. The report, which details how schools are implementing the "Schools Against Violence in Education Act," must be jointly submitted by the commissioners of education and safety to the governor and Tennessee General Assembly. This procedural change updates the reporting timeline in Tennessee law (amending Titles 49 and 68) without altering the report's content or requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1432 proposed creating a fourth division for Montgomery County's General Sessions and Juvenile Courts in Tennessee, amending existing court structure. The bill would establish a new judge position for this division (initially appointed until 2026, then elected every eight years), expand the court clerk's duties to cover the new division, and adjust the presiding judge rotation to include all four divisions. It required approval by Montgomery County’s legislative body (which was not obtained, as the bill was withdrawn on March 4, 2025). This was a procedural change affecting Montgomery County's local court operations, not a policy impacting residents directly.

Maddy summarySJR 51 is a ceremonial joint resolution honoring Shane McCarrell, a Clarksville auctioneer who won the 2024 International Auctioneer Championship. The resolution recognizes his championship victory (competing against 78 global finalists in Pittsburgh), his 12+ years of military service, his leadership in the Tennessee Auctioneers Association, and his role as co-owner and education director of the Nashville Auction School. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is purely a symbolic gesture of state recognition. The resolution was signed by the Governor on March 4, 2025, following approval by both legislative chambers.

Maddy summarySJR 34 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Mary Nell Bryan for her 20-year service as executive director of the Children's Hospital Alliance of Tennessee (CHAT), recognizing her retirement in May 2024. It acknowledges her advocacy on children's health issues, including efforts to expand pediatric mental health funding, CoverKids, smoke-free workplace laws, and school nutrition standards. The resolution does not create new policies or legal requirements - it is purely a formal recognition by the Tennessee General Assembly. It was introduced by Senator Powers and referenced in the Senate calendar before being withdrawn and re-referred.

Maddy summarySB 574 reduces the tax on beer from $4.29 to $2.00 per barrel and modifies how revenue from soft drink taxes (currently 0.9% of gross receipts) is allocated. It directs 50% of soft drink tax revenue to highway litter prevention programs and 40% to recycling grants for materials like aluminum and plastic. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and sets a sunset provision: both taxes will end by July 1, 2028, or upon enactment of mandatory beverage container deposit laws, whichever comes first. This bill directly affects beer and soft drink manufacturers, distributors, and state agencies managing litter and recycling programs.

Maddy summarySB 947 amends Tennessee's Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act of 2024 by changing the definition of "definable group" from "glee club" to "choral group" in state law. This update ensures the law's protections apply broadly to all choral groups, not just a specific type of ensemble. The change affects how the law's provisions apply to vocal groups seeking protection for their collective likeness, voice, and image. It is a purely definitional adjustment with no new requirements or rights added.

Maddy summarySB 949 extends the deadline for correcting property tax assessments in Tennessee from two years to ten years after the tax year. It affects property owners who may need to request corrections for overpayments or underpayments, and tax assessors who initiate corrections. The bill changes a specific law (TCA §67-5-509(d)) to allow corrections to be requested by taxpayers or initiated by assessors by March 1 of the tenth year following the tax year, instead of the second year. This applies to property tax assessments for 2016 and all subsequent tax years.