Sen. John Stevens

Maddy summarySB 867, the "Government Serves the People Act," creates a state government service delivery coordinator within the Department of Finance and Administration to improve how state agencies interact with residents and businesses. It requires agencies to adopt standards focusing on ease, transparency, accessibility, and customer feedback for major services (like licenses or benefits), and to collect data on service quality. Each agency must designate a lead official to implement these standards and submit improvement plans within one year. The bill directly affects all state agencies and the public they serve by mandating measurable improvements in service delivery processes.

Maddy summarySB 546 requires individuals seeking to become online notaries in Tennessee to complete a training course covering notarial laws, online technology procedures, and ethics, and pass an exam. It also mandates that applicants certify they understand and will comply with state rules and Secretary of State requirements. The bill specifies that online notary training courses must be approved by the Secretary of State. These changes apply directly to people applying for online notary commissions, effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 543 amends Tennessee law to allow litigation financiers who are not business entities or partnerships to withdraw their registration with the Secretary of State. To withdraw, these financiers must file a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and pay a $20 fee. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 16, specifically changing the registration process for this category of financiers. This change directly affects individual or non-entity litigation financiers who previously lacked a clear withdrawal mechanism under existing rules.

Maddy summarySB 545 creates a process for Tennessee residents to challenge if their name or address was included on a business document filed with the Secretary of State without their consent. Individuals can file a complaint with required details, prompting the Secretary to notify involved businesses and review the claim within 30 business days. If the complainant provides strong proof, the Secretary can cancel the unauthorized filing, though no refund is issued for the original filing fee. This directly affects residents whose personal information appeared on business records without permission and businesses that filed such records.

Maddy summarySB 537 requires the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission to create and issue specialized guide licenses for individuals working as guides at Reelfoot Lake in Lake and Obion Counties. It mandates that guides demonstrate specific knowledge of Reelfoot Lake’s unique hazards and environment through commission rules. The bill amends state law to define "guide" and establish this new licensing requirement, directly affecting commercial fishing and hunting guides operating on Reelfoot Lake. The commission must develop these rules following standard administrative procedures.

Maddy summarySB 894 would extend the validity period for contractor licenses in Tennessee from two years to four years. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 62, Chapter 6) to change the renewal timeline from every two years to every four years for licensed contractors. This change would apply to licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2025, reducing the frequency of required renewals. The bill directly affects licensed contractors who must renew their credentials under this code section.