Sen. Page Walley

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal charter for the Town of Stanton, Tennessee, by revising the town's general powers and provisions related to its town judge. It grants the town expanded authority to manage local finances, including the ability to levy taxes, incur debt, issue bonds, and acquire or dispose of property. The legislation also clarifies the town's power to regulate public utilities, grant exclusive franchises or contracts for services, and manage infrastructure like streets and public facilities. These changes require local approval before taking effect and are designed to provide the town with clearer legal authority for municipal operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Haywood County's attorney to hold a Tennessee state law license and establishes a preference for hiring a county resident, though residency is not mandatory. It defines the attorney's role as providing legal advice to county officials and preparing legal documents for county bonds, while also allowing the county commission to hire additional legal counsel when needed. The bill updates terminology by replacing "quarterly county court" with "county commission" and "county judge" with "county mayor" throughout the relevant county charter. Importantly, this legislation will only take effect if approved by a two-thirds vote of the Haywood County legislative body.

Maddy summarySB 2295 requires Tennessee's Alcoholic Beverage Commission to submit its biennial report on preventing underage drinking, drunk driving, and other harmful alcohol use to the General Assembly by February 1 (instead of February 15) each odd-numbered year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 57-1-206(a) and related provisions to change this deadline. This shortens the submission timeline by two weeks, providing lawmakers earlier access to data on alcohol-related prevention efforts. The report directly affects the Commission (which must submit it) and the General Assembly (which receives it).

Maddy summarySB 2149, the "HOPE Treatment Act," creates a framework for Tennessee to fund clinical trials using ibogaine - a compound being studied for treating mental health and substance use disorders - to accelerate research into its medical potential. It allows groups of organizations (including drug developers, universities, and hospitals) to form a "cohort" and apply for state funding to conduct FDA-approved trials for conditions like opioid addiction, PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury. The bill requires detailed proposals covering trial design, safety protocols, participant recruitment, and aftercare plans before funding is granted. This initiative aims to advance research on ibogaine within Tennessee, aligning with broader state and federal interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Maddy summarySB 1772 allows the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee and local law enforcement agencies to create written agreements enabling sworn officers to enforce traffic laws on designated private roads within the West Tennessee Megasite. These agreements require property owners to install standard traffic signs and markings, post clear notices about enforcement, and describe the roads precisely. The bill clarifies that enforcing traffic laws on these roads does not make them public highways, transfer ownership, or change maintenance responsibilities. It directly affects the Megasite Authority, local police departments, and property owners managing private roads within the designated megasite area.

Maddy summarySB 1898 directs Tennessee's TACIR to study the state's emergency communications system. The study requires TACIR to analyze funding models, emergency communications district (ECD) structures, organizational charts, and potential improvements like consolidation or standardized protocols, with a final report due by December 2026. This bill does not change current laws but will inform future legislative decisions.

Maddy summarySB 2055 requires Tennessee public schools and charter schools to permit private pay providers (licensed behavior analysts hired by families) to deliver applied behavior analysis services to students with autism or developmental delays during school hours. The bill mandates that schools allow access to students in classroom or educational settings, provided the services align with the student's individualized education plan (IEP) and parental consent is obtained. Schools must coordinate with IEP teams, ensure services don't disrupt classrooms, and cannot charge fees or block access to private providers. The law also requires private providers to comply with background checks and licensure standards, while prohibiting schools from discriminating against students receiving these services.

Maddy summarySB 1622 requires Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services to create a statewide, county-level quality assurance program by July 2027. The program must measure service quality through outcomes like child safety and permanency, using county coordinators and committees to track progress. The department must submit quarterly progress reports to the legislature starting in 2026 and publicly post annual county performance grades on its website. This affects county child welfare offices, social workers, and the department’s service delivery system, aiming to improve outcomes for children and families through data-driven feedback.

Maddy summarySB 639 increases the advance notice period for meetings of Tennessee's Board of Water Quality, Oil, and Gas from five to seven days. This change applies directly to board members, requiring organizers to notify them seven days in advance of all regular or special meetings. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Titles 7, 63, 65, 68, and 69) to implement this updated notice requirement. The policy change is procedural, focusing solely on meeting scheduling transparency without altering substantive water or resource regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1468 designates the Tennessee Army National Guard armory in McNairy County as the "Brigadier General Donald F. Hawkins Army National Guard Armory" to honor his 36-year military service, including his retirement as commander of the 30th Separate Armored Brigade. The bill amends Tennessee Code to rename the facility and requires the National Guard to install appropriate signage. It directly affects the physical designation of the armory building in McNairy County. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy or funding changes beyond the naming.