Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summarySB 2451 requires Tennessee's state fire marshal to post training materials on their website to help owners, tenants, and employees of educational and institutional buildings (like schools and hospitals) conduct proper fire drills. This amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68 adds a new digital resource requirement to the existing law, which already mandates the fire marshal's availability for in-person training. The bill directly affects facilities with high occupancy, such as schools and hospitals, by providing accessible online tools for fire safety training. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and focuses on improving fire drill preparedness through readily available digital resources.

Maddy summarySB 2246 extends the notice period for healthcare facility certificate of need applications in Tennessee from 15 to 30 days. This change directly affects healthcare institutions seeking to build or expand facilities (applicants) and those wishing to oppose such projects (opponents), requiring opponents to file written objections 30 days before commission meetings. The bill amends Tennessee law to require applicants' published notices in local newspapers to include a statement about this extended 30-day filing window for objections. The key provision streamlines the objection process by giving opponents more time to respond before commission hearings.

Maddy summarySB 1865 creates two annual grant programs for Tennessee fire and rescue organizations: a "rescue squad grant program" and a "volunteer firefighter equipment and training grant program." It provides funds specifically for purchasing firefighting equipment (excluding vehicles) and training, directly benefiting recognized rescue squads (municipal, county, or nonprofit emergency response groups) and volunteer fire departments. The commissioner of commerce and insurance will evaluate applications and award grants each year, aiming to spend all allocated funds annually without returning unused money to the general budget. The bill amends Tennessee law to establish these programs, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1673 extends the deadline for property owners or entities to file objections to state property tax assessments. It changes the filing window from 20 to 25 days after the first Monday in September, giving affected parties more time to challenge assessments with the state board of equalization. This procedural change directly impacts individuals and businesses receiving property tax assessments from Tennessee's comptroller of the treasury. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law related to state property assessments (TCA Titles 4, 8, 9, 66, and 67).

Maddy summarySB 1875 changes how liquefied gas tax is collected for vehicles using it, requiring users to pay the tax at the time of refueling instead of annually. It eliminates annual permit renewals, making user permits permanent as long as taxes are reported and paid on time. The bill also updates tax rules to include hydrogen gas as a fuel type for tax purposes and clarifies dealer permit requirements. These changes directly affect vehicle users and dealers who supply liquefied gas or hydrogen fuel.

Maddy summarySB 1872 removes requirements for Tennessee's Department of Human Services to establish, advertise, and maintain a statewide toll-free hotline for child support inquiries and complaints, as well as to operate satellite offices for the state's central child support unit. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 36-5-118 and 36-5-119 to eliminate these specific mandates. It directly affects child support recipients and payers who previously relied on these services for assistance. The change simplifies administrative requirements for the department but removes dedicated channels for public engagement on child support matters.

Maddy summarySB 1782 allows local governments (counties or municipalities) that ban class 1 or class 2 electric bicycles on park or greenway trails to notify the Tennessee Department of Safety. The bill requires local governments to submit their ban resolution or ordinance to the Department, which must then compile and publish a public list of all parks and greenways where such bans apply. This creates a centralized, online resource for residents to quickly see where e-bike use is restricted on public trails.

Maddy summarySB 1586 is a procedural bill that codifies all general and public laws passed during Tennessee's 2025 regular and extraordinary legislative sessions into the official Tennessee Code Annotated. It integrates these existing laws into the state's legal code without making any substantive changes to the laws themselves. The bill serves as an administrative update to organize the state's statutes, with the official code taking precedence over the original acts in case of conflict. This annual codification process affects no specific groups or policies - it simply updates the legal reference system.

Maddy summarySB 1886 reduces the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame board's executive committee size from seven to six members and adds a new duty requiring the board to set the hall's strategic direction, financial oversight, and mission. It also shortens the timeline for the board to submit its annual operational plan to the commissioner from an unspecified period to 90 days before each calendar year begins. The bill directly affects the Hall of Fame board and its relationship with the commissioner of tourist development. (Procedural bill; summary limited to key operational changes.)

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Revenue to submit annual reports on sales taxes collected from electronic nicotine delivery devices (e.g., e-cigarettes) from 2030 to 2031. It directly affects the Department of Revenue (which must file the reports) and the General Assembly (which receives the reports). The change is a technical amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Section 67-6-106, adjusting the reporting timeline without altering tax rates or consumer obligations.