Sen. Kerry Roberts

Maddy summarySB 2641 requires local retirement programs (including city, county, and school district pensions not in Tennessee's main TCRS system) to make investment decisions based **solely on financial factors**, excluding environmental, social, or governance (ESG) considerations. It mandates that fiduciaries (like fund managers) conducting an economic analysis to justify voting against a company's board recommendation on shareholder proposals. The bill creates a presumption that voting with a board’s recommendation is financially motivated, while banning votes prioritizing ESG interests unless proven financially beneficial through documented analysis. This applies to all local government retirement programs managing assets for employees’ benefits.

Maddy summarySB 2640 amends Tennessee law to increase the mandatory license suspension period for first-time drivers convicted of DUI who refuse a chemical test (implied consent violation) from one year to one year and six months. This change directly affects individuals facing license revocation under these specific circumstances, as defined by the revised Section 55-10-407. The bill modifies the penalty structure without altering the underlying offense or adding new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2702 revises the charter of the City of Charlotte, Tennessee, to update its governance and operational rules. It changes the definition of "Elector" to require nonresident property owners to provide certified property records for voting eligibility. The bill also revises the city council structure to specify six council members plus the mayor, sets fixed salaries for council members during their term, and clarifies meeting procedures. Additionally, it updates the city clerk's duties, including maintaining records and providing monthly financial statements.

Maddy summarySB 2646 allows Tennessee industrial development corporations (IDCs) to merge with other corporations using the same process as public benefit corporations under Tennessee law. Specifically, it amends state code to let IDC boards initiate mergers following procedures outlined in Title 48 (Nonprofit Corporation Act), streamlining how these entities can combine. This directly affects IDCs, which are nonprofit organizations that develop industrial sites to support economic growth. The bill creates a clear legal pathway for IDCs to merge, without changing their core mission or creating new programs.

Maddy summarySB 1723 replaces the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation's (TELC) current board of directors with a new 9-member board appointed by the governor (3 members), Senate Speaker (3), and House Speaker (3), effective July 1, 2026. The bill requires certain employment and compensation details of the TELC's chief executive officer to be public records subject to disclosure. It also terminates the TELC corporation on June 30, 2030, ending its operation as a standalone entity. These changes directly affect the governance structure and oversight of the lottery, which funds education programs in Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 2636 allows homeschooling families in Tennessee to use the Classic Learning Test (CLT) alongside the ACT and SAT for standardized testing requirements. It requires homeschool students in grades 5, 7, and 9 to take either a nationally normed test (like the CLT) supervised by an unrelated proctor or public school-approved tests, with results shared with parents, school directors, and the state board. If students don’t meet proficiency thresholds, parents must consult school officials and may need to design remedial coursework or retake tests. The bill also requires public schools to list opportunities for homeschool students to take college-prep courses and exams like the CLT on their websites.

Maddy summarySB 1590 designates specific river segments - including the entire Buffalo River and most of the Duck River - as protected Class II pastoral river areas, while adding four new waterways (Beaverdam Creek, Lick Creek, Piney River, and Swan Creek) to this protected status. It removes previous county exclusions for the Buffalo River and modifies the Duck River segment to exclude only the Normandy Reservoir area managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The bill also updates public outreach requirements by changing references from "Duck River" to "any river" in state law. These changes directly affect communities and landowners along the designated waterways, particularly in Hickman, Williamson, and Dickson counties.

Maddy summarySB 520 expands the service area of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority to include Perry, Stewart, Houston, and Humphreys counties. The bill directly affects these four counties and the authority, which will now have jurisdiction over them. Key provisions require the authority to provide only technical assistance, engineering services, and project management support in these newly added counties, rather than full program delivery. This change updates the authority's jurisdictional boundaries in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 64, Section 64-1-1101(c)(1), while maintaining existing service structures for other counties.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution honors Calli Mae Stephens, the 2026 valedictorian of Waverly Central High School, for her academic excellence and community involvement. The measure formally commends her outstanding achievements, including a high grade point average and participation in extracurricular activities, and expresses the General Assembly's best wishes for her future. Upon signing, the document will be presented to Stephens as a certificate of recognition from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally honors Easton Cade Turner, the 2026 Valedictorian of McEwen High School. The resolution commends his academic excellence and extracurricular achievements, acknowledging his high grade point average and dedication to learning. It directs the General Assembly to present a copy of this resolution to Turner as a gesture of recognition for his accomplishments. The document serves as an official commendation from the Tennessee legislature rather than establishing new laws or policies.