Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summarySB 2208, the "DEI Compliance Certification Act," requires Tennessee state departments, agencies, and public universities to annually certify compliance with state laws prohibiting specific DEI-related concepts. It defines "DEI" broadly to include policies or practices based on ideas like race or sex being inherently superior, meritocracy being racist, or requiring individuals to acknowledge past discrimination. Each entity must submit a report detailing DEI removal efforts and provide a sworn certification of compliance to the governor and legislature by January 31 each year. Failure to comply risks funding loss, reorganization, or penalties, with the attorney general empowered to investigate violations and report findings annually.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 668) confirms Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Todd Skelton to serve on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville advisory board for a term ending June 30, 2029. Under Tennessee law (TCA § 49-9-501), the General Assembly must confirm such governor appointments to the advisory board. The resolution formally approves Skelton's service without altering any policy or creating new obligations. It is a procedural confirmation, not a substantive legislative change.

Maddy summarySJR 629 is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Dane Scism to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville advisory board for a term ending June 30, 2029. This resolution complies with Tennessee law (TCA Section 49-9-501), which requires the General Assembly to confirm governor-appointed members of university advisory boards. The bill directly affects the UT Knoxville advisory board and the university's governance structure by formalizing Scism's role. It does not create new policy or impact broader legislation.

Maddy summarySB 1876 clarifies that specific bank account details held by Tennessee state agencies must be kept confidential. It directly affects state agencies managing financial records by requiring them to protect information like debit card numbers, PINs, account numbers, routing numbers, and associated personal identifiers (including tax ID numbers and addresses). The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly list these types of financial data as confidential, preventing their disclosure under public records requests. This change ensures greater privacy for individuals' banking information held by state entities.

Maddy summarySB 1885 designates February as "Tennessee Songwriters Month" each year to recognize songwriters' contributions to the state's musical heritage. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 15-2-129 to formally establish this observance. The bill has no funding requirements or regulatory changes - it is a symbolic designation affecting public recognition, not any specific individuals or organizations. The measure passed committee review in the Tennessee Senate in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1711 amends Tennessee law to change where lawsuits can be filed to dissolve nonprofit corporations. It specifies that the attorney general can file such lawsuits in counties where the nonprofit’s main office is located (or its registered office if none is in Tennessee), where it did business, or in Davidson, Sumner, or Williamson counties. Other authorized parties (like community groups) can only file in the county where the nonprofit’s main office was last located. This is a procedural change affecting court venue, not the rules for dissolving corporations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 639) confirms Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Joshua R. Walker to serve as the Eastern Grand Division Commissioner on the Tennessee Claims Commission for an eight-year term ending June 30, 2033. The resolution follows state law requiring legislative confirmation for such appointments. The Tennessee Claims Commission handles claims against the state, and Walker’s confirmation directly affects his role in this body. This is a procedural resolution confirming an existing appointment, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution confirms Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Dr. Tyler Forrest to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees for a term expiring October 31, 2026. The bill directly affects Dr. Forrest, who serves as President of Tennessee Wesleyan University and brings experience in conservation, land management, and public service to the board. The resolution follows Tennessee law requiring legislative confirmation of the governor's appointments to this board.

Maddy summaryThis resolution confirms Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Pete Claussen to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board of Trustees, as required by Tennessee law (TCA § 11-7-104(b)(2)). Claussen, who previously held leadership roles with the Tennessee Valley Authority and cultural institutions, will serve a term ending October 31, 2029. The resolution passed unanimously in both chambers on March 4, 2026, formalizing an existing gubernatorial appointment without creating new policy or affecting public programs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution confirms Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Dewey Branstetter, Jr., to the Tennessee Ethics Commission, as required by Tennessee law (TCA § 3-6-103). It does not create new policy but formally approves an existing gubernatorial appointment that must receive a two-thirds vote from both legislative chambers. The resolution directly affects the confirmation process for ethics commission members, not the public or specific policies. Branstetter, a Nashville attorney with municipal law expertise, was appointed to a position expiring December 31, 2028.