Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summaryThis resolution confirms Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Mark Rogers to the Tennessee State Forestry Commission, as required by Tennessee law (TCA § 11-4-201). Rogers, a certified forester with 30 years of experience representing forest owners with 500+ acres, will serve until June 30, 2029. The resolution follows standard procedure for governor-appointed commission members to receive legislative confirmation.

Maddy summarySJR 112 is a procedural resolution confirming Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Jake Almond to the Tennessee State Forestry Commission. It does not create new policy or affect broader groups; it solely formalizes Almond's confirmation as a commission member for a term ending June 30, 2029, per Tennessee law requiring legislative approval for such appointments. The resolution cites Almond's 42-year forestry industry background and prior service to the Tennessee Forestry Association as context for his appointment.

Maddy summarySB 6002 creates a centralized immigration enforcement division within Tennessee's Department of Safety, led by a governor-appointed chief immigration enforcement officer (CIEO). The bill establishes a grant program to fund local law enforcement participation in federal immigration enforcement (like the 287(g) program) and imposes criminal penalties (Class E felony) on local officials who adopt sanctuary policies, requiring their removal from office upon conviction. It also mandates that lawful permanent residents receive temporary driver licenses instead of standard licenses to help verify voter eligibility. These changes directly affect local government officials, law enforcement agencies, and immigrants holding lawful permanent residency in Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 6003 creates two new state funds to support disaster recovery in Tennessee. The Hurricane Helene interest payment fund helps local governments in counties affected by Hurricane Helene pay interest costs (capped at 5% or prime rate) on loans used for eligible recovery spending. The governor's response and recovery fund provides broader assistance for agricultural, unemployment, and business recovery efforts following declared emergencies, including Hurricane Helene. Both funds are managed by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and must be used exclusively for these purposes, with annual reporting required to legislative committees. The bill became effective February 12, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 6004 amends Tennessee law to improve emergency response and support affected residents. It authorizes the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to assist local governments with disaster recovery on public property when requested, and temporarily suspends certain unemployment eligibility requirements for people living or working in counties with a declared emergency. Specifically, it allows flexibility in processing unemployment claims for residents in areas where the state has requested federal disaster assistance. These changes apply only during active emergency declarations and aim to streamline aid during crises.

Maddy summarySB 6005 is an appropriations bill that funds Tennessee's state government operations for the 2024-2025 fiscal years. It allocates specific sums for key programs, including $225.8 million for Education Freedom Scholarships, $210 million for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, $240 million for disaster relief, and $20 million to rebuild Hampton High School in Carter County. The bill also covers expenses for the first extraordinary session of the 114th General Assembly and provides funds for tourism development and incentives for high-performing schools. These appropriations directly support state agencies, schools, and local governments by providing resources for their designated programs and operations.

Maddy summarySB 6001 creates the "Education Freedom Scholarship Act," allowing Tennessee parents to use public funds for private school tuition. It directly affects eligible K-12 students (excluding home/church school attendees) whose families meet income criteria or qualify under existing programs. The bill establishes a two-tiered scholarship system: 10,000 scholarships prioritize families earning ≤300% of the federal free lunch income threshold, while another 10,000 are available to all eligible students, with a 20,000 cap for the 2025-2026 school year. Scholarships follow students to approved private schools, with future caps adjusted based on application volume and available funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SJR 15) formally recognizes January 2025 as "Human Trafficking Awareness Month" in Tennessee. It does not create new laws or programs but symbolically highlights the issue through legislative acknowledgment. The resolution cites existing state efforts like the Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking Program and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's annual trafficking reports. It aims to promote education and awareness about human trafficking, which the bill defines as exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion for commercial sex or labor. This is a procedural resolution with no direct policy changes or affected parties beyond raising public awareness.

Maddy summaryThis resolution calls for a joint convention of Tennessee's Senate and House of Representatives on January 15, 2025, to elect three state officials: the Secretary of State, Comptroller of the Treasury, and State Treasurer. It specifies the meeting time (9:30 a.m. CST) and location (House chamber) for this election process. The resolution is procedural and does not change existing election rules or policies. It directly affects the selection process for these three statewide offices.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) honoring the October 7th Coalition and actress Patricia Heaton. It recognizes their work fostering Christian-Jewish understanding, opposing antisemitism, and promoting solidarity - specifically noting Heaton’s advocacy for Israel and her recent mezuzah campaign. The resolution has no legal effect and serves only to publicly commend their efforts. It passed unanimously in the Tennessee General Assembly and was signed by the Governor.