Sen. John Stevens

Maddy summarySB 547 requires Tennessee court clerks to add a $12.50 fee to every misdemeanor and felony cost bill, sending the collected funds to county governments (or district attorney offices in multi-county districts) for public safety support services. These funds must be used at the sole discretion of the district attorney general for public safety purposes, with no requirement for specific programs. Counties must approve the fee via a two-thirds vote of their legislative body, and district attorneys must submit annual reports detailing how the funds were spent. The fee does not apply to traffic violations or affect existing restitution or criminal injury compensation payments.

Maddy summarySB 533 changes who pays for electronic monitoring devices when prisoners are released for work in Tennessee. For unpaid work release, the organization employing the prisoner must cover the monitoring costs. For paid employment, the prisoner’s wages must be used to pay for the device, with the sheriff deducting the cost and paying the provider directly. This applies to county or state facilities under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 41, effective July 1, 2025. The bill removes a prior 2024 start date but otherwise modifies existing work release rules.

Maddy summarySB 540 amends Tennessee law to change how courts consider child support payments in custody cases. It removes the previous requirement that courts only address nonpayment after three years of failure, instead requiring judges to consider *any* failure to pay court-ordered child support when making custody decisions. The bill also allows courts to restrict or limit parenting plan provisions if a parent has failed to pay child support. This affects parents who miss payments and judges handling custody cases under Tennessee Code Sections 36-6-106 and 36-6-406. The law became effective May 2, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 536 requires the Tennessee higher education commission to report by December 31, 2025, on how public universities use tuition discounts and waivers, including their financial impact and effects on student academic outcomes. The bill directs the commission to evaluate state financial support tied to these discounts and submit the report to the governor and relevant legislative committees. It does not address athlete name/image/likeness rights (as incorrectly stated in the title), but instead mandates a state-level review of tuition discount policies. The law took effect May 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits tech companies (like email or social media platforms) from notifying users when law enforcement searches their data for child sexual exploitation cases. It specifically bans service providers from alerting account holders or unauthorized individuals about search warrants or subpoenas related to these investigations. The law aims to prevent suspects from destroying evidence by alerting them to ongoing police activity. It applies directly to electronic communications services covered under Tennessee law and took effect on May 5, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 443 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the Henry County High School Madrigals for winning gold at the Anaheim Heritage Festival. It recognizes the student choir's achievement, their director's leadership, and their contribution to promoting performing arts. The resolution contains no policy changes, funding, or legal requirements - it is purely symbolic recognition. The resolution was enacted after passing both chambers and receiving the Governor's signature on May 1, 2025. It directly affects the students and school by formally acknowledging their accomplishment through state-level recognition.

Maddy summarySB 544 amends Tennessee's Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to streamline the process for resolving disputes over financing statement filings. It requires filing offices (like county clerks) to send contested UCC filings, the public official's notarized affidavit, and the petition to the Secretary of State's office within three business days - adding to existing requirements. The bill also mandates that the prevailing party in such disputes provide the filing office with a copy of the administrative law judge's decision. This affects secured parties (e.g., lenders), public officials who file affidavits, and filing offices handling UCC disputes. The changes focus solely on procedural steps for administrative review, not on altering credit or legal rights.

Maddy summarySJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand rights for crime victims in Tennessee by replacing Article I, Section 35 of the state constitution. The amendment would guarantee victims specific rights, including timely notice of court proceedings, the right to be present at hearings, the ability to provide input during sentencing and parole decisions, and access to restitution from offenders. These rights would apply to all victims of crime as defined by law, with the General Assembly retaining authority to create implementing laws. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 1097 changes Tennessee law for DUI offenders required to use ignition interlock devices (IIDs) by automatically deeming individuals receiving SNAP, TANF, or state Medicaid benefits as unable to pay for the device, eliminating the need for a court hearing to determine indigency. Under this bill, eligible individuals must pay $30 monthly toward device costs, with the state covering the remainder up to $170 per month from the electronic monitoring indigency fund. The law updates reimbursement procedures for device providers, requiring them to submit claims with court orders and proof of the person's benefit eligibility. This applies specifically to those ordered to use a functioning IID for DUI offenses.

Maddy summarySB 1137 amends Tennessee law to allow litigation financiers who are not business entities or partnerships (such as individuals) to amend or withdraw their registration with the Secretary of State. They can now do this by submitting a prescribed form and paying a $20 filing fee, streamlining the process previously required. The bill specifically targets non-business entity financiers, simplifying administrative steps without altering registration requirements for business entities. It became effective on April 24, 2025, after enactment.