Sen. John Stevens

Maddy summarySB 1907 would provide a $50,000 annual annuity for five years to the estate of an electrical lineman who dies while performing job duties for a local government or its contractor. The bill defines "electrical lineman" as someone who installs, maintains, or repairs electrical transmission and distribution systems for local governments. It also adds "electrical lineman" to the definition of "emergency responder" in Tennessee law, ensuring these workers qualify for the same benefits as other emergency responders. This change directly affects estates of qualifying linemen and modifies existing statutes in Titles 5, 6, 7, 8, and 50 of Tennessee Code.

Maddy summarySB 1238 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to post all adoption-related forms on its official website. This affects courts, adoption agencies, and individuals navigating the adoption process by making necessary paperwork easily accessible online. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 36, 37, and 68 to mandate this website availability. It does not change adoption procedures or eligibility but streamlines access to required forms. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on digital form distribution.

Maddy summarySB 2184 modifies Tennessee estate laws to clarify that the Uniform Partition Heirs Property Act does not apply when selling land to pay estate debts. It changes how courts calculate a surviving spouse’s right to claim a portion of the estate (elective share) by aligning with federal estate tax rules and excluding certain assets. The bill also updates conservatorship petition requirements to specify what must be included in the filing. These changes directly affect estate administrators, creditors, and surviving spouses handling estate settlements in Tennessee. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1858 amends Tennessee law to extend the timeframe for the state legislature to fix redistricting plan defects from 15 to 90 calendar days after a court identifies issues. This change directly affects courts and the Tennessee General Assembly when addressing problems in legislative or congressional district maps. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-18-105(a) to require courts to provide the legislature with a 90-day window to correct redistricting flaws, rather than the previous 15-day period. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on adjusting the deadline for legislative action without altering redistricting standards or outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes the annual winner of the Old Time Bluegrass and Fiddlers' Jamboree in Holladay as Tennessee's state champion fiddler. It amends state code to formally designate this title for the competition winner, which has been held since 1957 and celebrates traditional fiddle music. The bill does not create new programs or funding - it simply establishes a ceremonial recognition for the event's top fiddler. This designation directly affects the winner of the West Tennessee Fiddlers' Championship held each April in Holladay.

Maddy summaryThis bill rewrites the city charter for Martin, Tennessee, establishing the legal framework for how the city is governed. It creates a mayor elected from the entire city and three aldermen elected from separate wards, with ward boundaries that can be adjusted based on population changes. The charter grants the mayor and aldermen authority to manage city operations, including setting tax rates, maintaining public services like water and sewer systems, regulating businesses, and enforcing local ordinances. The city retains its existing boundaries while gaining the power to expand or contract them through legal annexation or contraction processes.

Maddy summarySB 2689 establishes the elected position of County Highway Supervisor for Weakley County, Tennessee, to lead the county's road and bridge maintenance operations. It sets specific qualifications for the role, requiring candidates to be at least 25 years old, residents of Weakley County for two years, and either hold an engineering degree with two years of highway experience or have four years of supervisory highway work experience. Starting with the August 2026 election, the supervisor will be chosen by a majority vote of qualified county residents every four years, with the current supervisor continuing until their term ends. The bill requires approval by a two-thirds vote of Weakley County's legislative body to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 2701 would allow Henry County to impose a severance tax on the extraction of clay, titanium, and other commonly recognized minerals within its borders. The tax rate would match Tennessee’s maximum per-ton rate for similar minerals, automatically adjusting if state law changes. All revenue collected - after administrative costs - must be used exclusively for county road construction, maintenance, and repairs. The tax applies only to minerals not already taxed under existing state law and requires Henry County’s legislative body to approve it by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySB 1733 amends Trenton's local laws for the City Recorder and Chief of Police. It expands the City Recorder's duties to include administering all necessary municipal operations and making required financial reports, while changing the residency requirement from a Trenton resident to a Gibson County resident. Similarly, it expands the Chief of Police's responsibilities to cover all necessary police department operations and changes their residency requirement to Gibson County. The bill requires approval by a two-thirds vote of Trenton's City Council to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 1732 designates May 1 of each year as "Law Day" in Tennessee, honoring the rule of law as foundational to the state's political system. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, to formally add this observance to the state's calendar of special days. The bill directly affects Tennessee residents by establishing an annual day of recognition for legal principles, without creating new laws or changing existing policies. This is a ceremonial designation, aligning Tennessee with the federal observance of Law Day.