Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summarySB 2249 allows Tennessee's State Energy Policy Council to submit its annual energy reports electronically instead of in hard copy. The bill amends specific state codes to permit this electronic submission to the governor, Senate Speaker, and House Speaker. It directly affects the Energy Policy Council and state leadership by changing their reporting method. This is a procedural change with no new policy requirements or funding impacts.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 288 confirms Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Miles Burdine of Kingsport to the Tennessee Board of Regents, where he will serve as the representative for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District. The resolution formally approves his appointment for a term expiring June 30, 2031, as required by Tennessee law (TCA § 49-8-201). This procedural resolution does not create new policy or alter existing laws; it solely ratifies the governor's appointment. The Senate unanimously adopted the resolution on March 2, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (SR 287) confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Matt Herriman to the Tennessee Board of Regents. It directly affects Herriman, who will serve as the representative for Tennessee's 4th Congressional District on the Board. The resolution formally approves his appointment for a term ending June 30, 2028, as required by Tennessee law. This is a routine confirmation with no new policy provisions or mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 286) confirms Governor Bill Lee’s appointment of Christi Branscom of Knoxville to the Tennessee Board of Regents. It directly affects Branscom, who will serve as the member representing Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District on the Board. The resolution follows state law requiring Senate confirmation for gubernatorial appointments to the Board, with Branscom’s term set to expire June 30, 2031. The resolution does not create new policy but formally approves an existing appointment to oversee Tennessee’s public higher education system.

Maddy summarySB 2236 revises Tennessee's building code rules for multi-family housing, specifically affecting local governments and developers of up to six-family dwellings. It requires these buildings to have separate exits per unit, two-hour fire-resistant walls/floors between units, and a maximum height of three stories. The bill prohibits the state fire marshal from mandating automatic sprinklers in such buildings but allows local governments to require sprinklers or adopt the NFPA 13D standard. This directly changes how safety standards apply to small multi-family housing developments across Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 1780 amends Tennessee law to allow the state treasurer to file annual unclaimed property reports electronically instead of in paper form. This change directly affects the treasurer’s office and the executive/legislative officials who receive these reports. The bill’s key provision updates Section 66-29-165(b) to explicitly permit electronic submission, streamlining the reporting process without altering the underlying requirements for unclaimed property handling. It is a procedural update focused on modernizing administrative procedures.

Maddy summarySJR 558 is a symbolic resolution commending Gap26 and the Great American Prayer Revival, a nonprofit ministry founded at Brentwood Baptist Church in July 2024. It recognizes their planned national spiritual revival events scheduled for March 1-4, 2026, across all 50 states, which aim to promote Christian faith-based renewal. The resolution honors the ministry’s leadership team and its mission to "call America to national spiritual revival." As a commemorative resolution, it does not create legal obligations or affect any policies or individuals.

Maddy summarySJR 7 designates Sunday, February 2, 2025, and the first Sunday in February each year thereafter as "Four Chaplains Day" in Tennessee. The resolution commemorates the four U.S. Army chaplains (Lt. George L. Fox, Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Lt. John P. Washington, and Lt. Clark V. Poling) who died in 1943 by giving up their life jackets to save soldiers during the sinking of the Dorchester. This symbolic designation does not create new laws or obligations but formally honors their sacrifice and heroism. It follows a precedent set by U.S. Congress in 1960, which authorized the Four Chaplains Medal.

Maddy summarySB 2202 modifies a Tennessee law requiring Local Education Agencies (LEAs), such as school districts, to notify the local education insurance committee about changes to health insurance benefits. The bill changes the required filing deadline from 30 days to 40 days before the changes take effect. This adjustment provides LEAs with an additional 10 days to submit health insurance plan updates. The change applies specifically to LEAs offering health benefits under local insurance plans, as outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 8.

Maddy summarySB 2240 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to update public school physical education standards by December 2027 to include the federal Presidential Fitness Test. The bill mandates reviewing and revising standards based on guidance from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. This directly affects all K-12 public schools and students across Tennessee. Proposed changes must undergo public review on the State Board of Education's website before final adoption.