Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summarySB 2228 modifies Tennessee's education laws by ending the Dyslexia Advisory Council and directing the existing Advisory Council for Students with Disabilities to handle dyslexia-related matters. It also terminates the Energy Efficient Schools Council and creates a new Office of Energy Efficient Schools within the Department of Education. The bill expands eligibility for individualized education accounts, which allow families to use public funds for approved educational services. These changes affect students with dyslexia or disabilities, families using education accounts, and the Department of Education's administrative structure, while amending multiple education-related statutes.

Maddy summarySB 1585 removes an outdated reporting requirement from Tennessee law that the Department of Education previously had to follow regarding literacy practices and standards. The bill deletes Section 49-1-908 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, eliminating a redundant administrative task that no longer served a purpose. This change affects the Department of Education by streamlining its reporting obligations without altering any education policies or requirements. The bill is procedural, amending multiple code sections to reflect the removal of the obsolete provision.

Maddy summarySB 1587 (Tennessee) makes it a Class A misdemeanor for a person without legal immigration status to operate a commercial motor vehicle in Tennessee. It requires law enforcement to notify federal immigration authorities when arresting such individuals and creates civil liability for employers who knowingly allow undocumented workers to drive commercial vehicles, or state officials who issue licenses to them. The bill allows the state attorney general to sue violators for at least $1 million in penalties and permits private citizens (qui tam plaintiffs) to file lawsuits on behalf of the state. This bill directly affects undocumented immigrants, employers, and state officials involved in commercial vehicle operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a requirement that unemployed workers' new jobs must pay at least certain percentages of their previous highest-earning quarter wages to be considered "suitable" for unemployment benefits. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated §50-7-303 by deleting specific wage threshold rules (subdivisions i-iv) from the eligibility criteria. The change directly affects workers applying for unemployment benefits who might have been denied claims under the old rules due to wage calculation requirements. The bill simplifies the process by eliminating these percentage calculations from the definition of suitable work.

Maddy summarySB 1672 extends the deadline for state officials to review and approve long-term tax increment revenue allocations from 30 to 45 days. It specifically applies to allocations for economic impact plans (with terms exceeding 20 years) and redevelopment/community redevelopment plans (with terms exceeding 30 years). The bill amends Tennessee law to change the timeframe for the commissioner of economic and community development and the comptroller to make written determinations on these allocations. This procedural adjustment provides additional time for administrative review without altering the policy substance or requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1868 defines a new category called "child in need of heightened supervision" for children who exhibit or threaten violent behavior consistent with specific offenses (like assault), regardless of formal charges or prior adjudication. This bill directly affects children who display violent conduct in schools or communities, expanding when authorities can detain or commit them to residential care. Key provisions include updating detention criteria to include this new category, requiring notification to children about assault consequences in residential facilities, and adding a six-month extension to indefinite custody if a child assaults staff. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee’s child welfare laws to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1783 requires Tennessee driver license staff to ask applicants at the time of application or renewal whether they want a REAL ID-compliant license or a non-REAL ID-compliant license. Staff must provide applicants with a printed document detailing the required documents, permitted uses (such as domestic air travel or accessing federal facilities), and alternative IDs like passports for each option. The bill makes REAL ID compliance optional, clarifies that applicants must sign a document confirming they received the information, and mandates that the state website prominently states this choice is optional. This directly affects all Tennessee residents applying for or renewing driver licenses, photo IDs, or learner's permits starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1713 requires Tennessee state agencies, local governments (counties, municipalities, metropolitan governments), and public universities to annually certify to the state comptroller that they have not implemented "discriminatory preferences" to advance diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives. Covered entities must submit this certification by January 1 each year, beginning in 2027. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 49) to establish this reporting requirement. It directly affects all state departments, local governments, and public higher education institutions subject to the law.

Maddy summarySB 1232 allows individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Tennessee to petition for the removal of their conviction from their criminal record after meeting specific conditions. To qualify, a person must have completed all sentence requirements (including fines, probation, and restitution) for the DUI offense, not have received prior expunctions, and not have been convicted of DUI more than once. The bill creates a new eligibility pathway for DUI expunctions, requiring the offense to be at least 10 years old from the date of conviction and limiting petitions to one per person. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies only to DUI convictions under Tennessee law § 55-10-401.

Maddy summarySB 2223 requires Tennessee local governments (such as counties or cities) to comply with court orders declaring a sanctuary policy unlawful within 120 days of the order. It amends multiple sections of Tennessee law, including deleting a reference to a 90-day compliance period in Title 7. The bill directly affects jurisdictions with sanctuary policies challenged in court, setting a clear 120-day deadline for adjustments. This provision focuses on ensuring local governments adhere to judicial rulings on immigration-related policies without altering the policy's substance.