Sen. Ed Jackson

Maddy summarySB 61 extends the Commission on Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education until June 30, 2031, by amending two sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29). This commission, created to establish standards for firefighter training and qualifications, will now continue operating beyond its previous expiration date. The bill makes no changes to the commission's duties or responsibilities, only extends its legal existence. As a result, fire departments and firefighters in Tennessee will maintain consistent training standards without disruption.

Maddy summarySB 74 extends Tennessee's participation in the Interstate Corrections Compact, which allows states to transfer prisoners across state lines, until June 30, 2033. This bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-246 and adds new language to Section 4-29-254 to set this new expiration date. The compact directly affects Tennessee's corrections system and participating states by ensuring continued legal authority for interstate prisoner transfers. The change is procedural, updating the existing agreement's sunset date without altering the compact's operational rules.

Maddy summarySB 208 reduces reporting requirements for Tennessee's comptroller of the treasury related to literacy education programs. It eliminates frequent reports by changing the mandate from unspecified intervals to a single, triennial (every three years) report. This affects the comptroller's office, the state board of education, and legislative education committee chairs, who previously received more frequent updates. The bill streamlines the process by requiring only a single comprehensive report every three years, detailing findings on literacy data and practices.

Maddy summarySB 83 extends the operating period of Tennessee's statewide planning and policy council for mental health and substance abuse services until June 30, 2029. This bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-250 to remove an expiration date and formally include the council within the relevant code sections. The extension directly affects the council itself and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, ensuring continued advisory functions for state mental health planning. The bill does not create new policies or funding but maintains existing governance structures for mental health services.

Maddy summarySB 209 allows specific public officials - including law enforcement officers, child welfare investigators, revenue collectors, judges, prosecutors, and public defenders - to request that their home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, birth dates, and official photos be kept private from public records. Officials must submit a written request to each relevant government agency, which then must withhold this information from public access. However, the bill permits disclosure if a court orders it, a subpoena is issued, or during an active law enforcement investigation. The law does not restrict access to other public records that may contain this information.

Maddy summarySB 1203 is a procedural bill that changes how fees are handled for individuals seeking to restore citizenship rights after legal issues. It amends Tennessee law to allow courts to waive application fees for these applicants if a court orders it, rather than requiring payment by default. This directly affects people with past convictions or legal troubles who are applying to regain voting rights or other citizenship privileges. The bill does not alter the eligibility requirements for restoring rights, only the fee payment process.

Maddy summarySB 223 requires military medical personnel who were discharged from the U.S. armed forces or public health service (other than honorably) to register with Tennessee's licensing board before practicing their profession in the state. This change affects veterans in medical fields (like doctors or nurses) who received non-honorable discharges and now seek to work in Tennessee healthcare. The bill amends licensing rules to mandate this registration step, ensuring these individuals meet state requirements before practicing. It directly impacts military medical professionals with specific discharge statuses, not all veterans or healthcare workers. The policy focuses on licensing compliance for this defined group, with no additional provisions or funding changes described.

Maddy summarySB 1195 removes an outdated requirement from Tennessee law that expired in 2018, specifically eliminating a mandate for the commissioner of health to report on neonatal abstinence syndrome and opioid use during pregnancy. The bill deletes a provision requiring reports to legislative committees by January 15, 2018, which had no ongoing effect since that date. It amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 14, 33, 56, 63, and 68 to formally remove this obsolete reporting obligation. This is a procedural update with no new policy changes or direct impact on current health care operations or individuals.

Maddy summarySB 1200 allocates 1% of revenue generated from sports gaming in Tennessee to the Department of Veterans Services starting July 1, 2025. This funding directly supports state veterans services programs, including counseling, housing assistance, and other support initiatives for veterans. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to redirect this specific portion of sports gaming revenue to the veterans department. It does not change existing allocations for other services, such as the 4% currently dedicated to mental health and substance abuse services.

Maddy summarySB 1199 requires the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to include the legislative librarian as a recipient of its quarterly reports. These reports detail the implementation of accommodations, delayed admissions, and facility operations in state hospitals and treatment centers. The bill amends existing reporting requirements without changing service standards or funding. It directly affects the department’s reporting process by adding a new recipient for transparency purposes. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on report distribution.