Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summarySJR 140 is a procedural resolution scheduling a recess for the Tennessee General Assembly. It sets a recess beginning at the close of business on February 13, 2025, and requires the legislature to reconvene on February 20, 2025, with the Senate meeting at 8:30 a.m. and the House of Representatives at 9:00 a.m. This resolution does not change substantive laws but adjusts the legislative calendar for the One Hundred Fourteenth General Assembly. The bill was signed by the Governor on February 18, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summarySB 692 requires Tennessee's Attorney General to annually report to legislative leaders (starting March 1, 2026) on violations of existing restrictions on medical procedures for minors related to gender identity. The report must include: (1) the number of violations reported to the Attorney General, (2) actions taken against healthcare providers who violated these rules, and (3) civil penalties collected. This bill directly affects the Attorney General's office (as the reporting entity) and healthcare providers who may perform restricted procedures. It does not change the underlying medical restrictions but adds transparency requirements for tracking enforcement.

Maddy summarySB 1294 removes a requirement for Tennessee's Department of Revenue to report on the status of the state's computerized motor vehicle titling and registration system to the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee and the House Transportation Committee. The bill directly affects state agencies (Department of Revenue) and legislative committees by eliminating this specific reporting obligation. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 55, changing only the administrative reporting process without altering vehicle registration rules or fees. This is a procedural change focused on streamlining administrative duties.

Maddy summarySB 1289 changes Tennessee's penalties for workplace safety violations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. It replaces fixed state penalties ($7,000 per violation, $70,000 for willful/repeated violations) with the maximum penalty allowed by federal OSHA. This aligns Tennessee's enforcement with federal standards, directly affecting employers who violate state safety laws. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law to reference federal OSHA's current penalty limits instead of fixed dollar amounts. The change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1280 requires Tennessee state-chartered banks to obtain an annual financial audit by an independent auditor at least once every 15 months (unless covered by their holding company's audit). The bank's board must review and document the audit in meeting minutes. Banks must submit the audit report to the Commissioner of Financial Institutions within 45 days of receiving it and notify the Commissioner immediately if they hire, change, or terminate an external auditor. This bill directly affects all Tennessee state-chartered banks by establishing specific audit timing, review, and reporting requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1268 amends Tennessee law to increase the required notice period from 10 to 15 days that the Department of Children's Services must provide to relative caregivers about additional requirements for receiving state payments. This change directly affects relatives caring for children in their home who receive financial support from the state. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37, Section 37-2-422(e), and Title 71 to implement the longer notice period. The law takes effect upon becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 1317 modifies Tennessee's unemployment benefit rules during declared emergencies. It allows the unemployment commissioner to temporarily suspend certain reporting requirements for residents in counties where a major disaster declaration has been requested, based on federal guidance. The bill also gives the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) new authority to assist local governments and emergency agencies with recovery efforts on public property after disasters. These changes directly affect unemployed residents in declared disaster areas and local governments managing emergency recovery. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law related to unemployment eligibility and TEMA's responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 1321 removes an outdated requirement that previously obligated Tennessee's Department of Transportation to submit a report by February 15, 2024, to legislative committees on developing a statewide pedestrian safety plan. This procedural bill eliminates a specific provision in Tennessee Code (amending Titles 4 and 54) that is no longer relevant, as the required reporting deadline has passed. The change directly affects the Department of Transportation by removing an obsolete administrative task. The bill does not create new policy or impact any other entities or programs.

Maddy summarySB 1320 removes an obsolete requirement that the Tennessee Department of Education, in partnership with the State Board and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, must submit a report by July 1, 2024, to legislative committees about implementing student literacy legislation. The bill deletes the specific provision (TCA 49-1-908) that created this reporting duty. This change directly eliminates a mandated task for state education agencies. The bill amends relevant sections of the Tennessee Code to effect this deletion.

Maddy summarySB 1322 requires Tennessee's Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to annually submit a report by February 1 to the governor, Senate Speaker, and House Speaker. The report must detail TEMA's recovery efforts from the previous calendar year and include recommendations to improve future recovery efficiency. This bill amends Tennessee law (specifically TCA Titles 9, 50, 58, and 67) to establish this reporting requirement. The bill directly affects TEMA and the state leadership receiving these annual updates.