Sen. Page Walley

Maddy summarySB 1676 would have amended Tennessee zoning law by removing the requirement that rebuilt structures must conform to current zoning regulations. Instead, rebuilding would have followed the zoning rules in effect when the original structure was built, affecting property owners after losses like fire or demolition. The bill deleted specific language from two sections of Tennessee’s zoning code (TCA Title 13, Chapter 7) related to construction requirements. However, the bill was withdrawn on the day it was filed and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 165 updates Tennessee's funding formula for human resource agencies by increasing the state's maximum annual contribution to match local government funding. It sets new thresholds: for local assessments of 1-20 cents per capita, the state will match up to $295,000; for 21-30 cents, up to $340,000; and for 31+ cents, up to $370,000 annually. This directly affects local governments that fund human services through per capita assessments, allowing them to secure higher state funding based on their contribution levels. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 26, without changing eligibility requirements. The change aims to strengthen state-local partnerships in delivering human services to residents.

Maddy summarySB 1007 would have regulated the sale of "smoking hemp" (hemp sold for smoking, distinct from other hemp-derived products) and hemp-derived cannabinoid products in Tennessee. It required businesses to obtain licenses, imposed a tax on selling these products, and mandated specific labeling - including child-resistant packaging, safety warnings, QR codes linking to potency test results, and one-year expiration dates. The bill also prohibited sales within 500 feet of K-12 schools unless the business was already selling such products at that location before the law took effect. This bill was introduced in February 2025 but withdrawn in December 2025 and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges Tennessee's Department of Agriculture to study the effects of vapor product sales, distribution, and use among youth under 21 years old. It directs the department to make recommendations to the legislature for reducing such use, without imposing new restrictions. The bill amends state law to require this study and reporting process, focusing specifically on underage access and consumption. It does not create new regulations but sets up a review mechanism for potential future action.

Maddy summarySB 1113 would shorten the deadline for the Tennessee Treasurer to submit an annual report on unclaimed property operations. Currently, the Treasurer has four months after the fiscal year ends to submit this report; the bill reduces that period to three months. The report covers the operation of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act and must be sent to the governor, comptroller of the treasury, and legislative leaders. This change requires the Treasurer to submit the report one month earlier each year.

Maddy summarySB 40, the "Employee Ownership, Empowerment, and Expansion Act," creates a state tax credit for businesses transitioning to employee ownership structures like employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), employee ownership trusts, or worker cooperatives. The credit covers up to 50% of transition costs (capped at $25,000 for trusts/cooperatives or $100,000 for ESOPs) for tax years 2026-2030, with businesses required to apply through the state tax department. The bill also exempts employee-owned businesses from certain state taxes and mandates outreach to minority-owned businesses about the credit. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to 25 years.

Maddy summarySB 381 changes the annual deadline for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation commissioner to submit water quality reports to legislative committees from January 31 to February 15. This adjustment applies specifically to reports required under the Water Quality Control Act of 1977. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to update this reporting timeline and was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 379 directed Tennessee's intergovernmental relations commission (TACIR) to study how state firearm laws impact county-level firearm sales, criminal offenses, and self-defense use. The study would identify similarities and differences in these impacts across all counties, requiring cooperation from state agencies. TACIR was required to complete the study and submit a report to lawmakers by January 1, 2026. The bill was introduced in February 2025 but withdrawn on December 1, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 1449 repeals a vehicle tax (known as the "wheel tax") that Wayne County has collected since 2004 under a private act. The repeal requires approval by Wayne County's legislative body with a two-thirds vote to take effect. If approved, the tax would be eliminated, directly affecting Wayne County residents and businesses that paid the tax. Without local approval, the repeal would not become effective.

Maddy summarySB 1437 changes the deadline for Hardeman County's school board to submit its annual budget. It requires the board to file its budget by the first Monday in May instead of the first Monday in April. The bill also states that this change only takes effect if Hardeman County's local legislative body approves it with a two-thirds vote. The law would apply specifically to Hardeman County's school budget process, with the deadline shift and approval requirement being the key provisions.