Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summarySB 2194 requires public benefit hospitals in Tennessee to provide written notice to the Attorney General and the State Reporter at least 30 days before selling or transferring hospital assets (a "public benefit hospital conveyance transaction"). This notice requirement applies directly to public benefit hospital entities operating under Tennessee law. The bill amends existing statutes (Tennessee Code §§ 48-68-203(a) and related sections) to establish this advance notification process, enhancing transparency for public oversight of such transactions. The law takes effect upon enactment, with no changes to the underlying transaction rules themselves.

Maddy summarySB 2197 allows courts to expunge certain violent offenses from a person's record after they've received a pardon, directly affecting individuals who have been pardoned for specific crimes. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove the previous requirement that expungement petitions be limited to "nonviolent" offenses, instead requiring courts to specifically consider whether the offense sought for expungement was violent (such as murder, aggravated kidnapping, or sexual offenses involving minors). Courts must weigh the best interests of justice and public safety, including factors presented by both the petitioner and the district attorney general, when deciding such petitions. This creates a rebuttable presumption in favor of expungement for non-violent offenses while adding a specific review step for violent offenses.

Maddy summarySB 2238, known as the "Hunting for Heroes Act," creates a free Tennessee National Guard sportsman license for eligible members. This license allows Tennessee National Guard members in good standing to hunt and fish without cost, providing the same benefits as a standard resident sportsman license. To qualify, applicants must provide a valid U.S. military ID and Tennessee National Guard membership verification from the adjutant general. The state will cover all license costs using general funds, not wildlife resources money, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2205 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation to include five specific details in its annual report to state legislators about transportation projects funded by the transportation modernization fund. These details are the project cost estimate, current development phase, how the project will be built, expected completion date, and a map showing the project's location. The bill directly affects the Department of Transportation (which must provide this information) and state legislators (who receive the updated report). This is a procedural change to reporting requirements, not a new policy or funding measure.

Maddy summarySB 2231 updates Tennessee's oil and gas drilling regulations by revising key definitions (replacing "crude petroleum" with "oil" and clarifying "well" to include production boreholes), reducing required buffer zones from streams from 0.5 miles to 0.25 miles, and mandating permits for surface disturbances and drilling operations. It requires operators to submit and comply with approved plans, with non-compliance risking suspension, permit revocation, or fines. These changes directly affect oil and gas operators, producers, and drilling companies conducting well operations across Tennessee. The bill modernizes procedural requirements while maintaining environmental and operational safeguards for drilling activities.

Maddy summarySB 2239 requires Tennessee medical and osteopathic license holders to complete at least one hour of annual continuing education on nutrition topics. This applies specifically to the Board of Medical Examiners (under Title 63, Chapter 6) and the Board of Osteopathic Examination (under Title 63, Chapter 9). The bill amends existing law to mandate this nutrition education requirement as part of their standard continuing education hours. The policy change will affect all physicians and osteopathic physicians renewing their licenses in Tennessee, effective January 1, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 2232 establishes clear rules for distributing funds from Tennessee's governor's response and recovery fund after disasters. It requires that the governor and local governments declare a state of emergency, federal aid must be unavailable or insufficient, and costs must exceed specific thresholds before funds can be provided. The bill specifies that funds can cover debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairing infrastructure like roads, bridges, and public utilities - excluding damage already covered by insurance - but cannot be used for public property damage. Eligible local governments (counties, cities, etc.) and individuals must prove residency, need, and meet cost criteria, with local cost-sharing required for grants based on a county's economic status.

Maddy summarySB 2225 modifies Tennessee's child abuse investigation process. It requires child protective teams handling human trafficking cases to include a representative from a non-governmental agency specializing in combating commercial sexual exploitation of minors (previously permitted but not required). The bill also extends the deadline for determining if reported abuse was indicated or unfounded from 60 days to 90 days for most cases, and to 180 days for child fatality cases (with possible 180-day extensions for good cause). These changes directly affect child protective teams, state departments handling abuse reports, and children involved in trafficking or severe abuse investigations.

Maddy summarySB 1861 amends Tennessee workers' compensation law to allow the Bureau of Workers' Compensation to use funds from the "subsequent injury and vocational recovery fund" for costs related to implementing and maintaining a computer system. The bill updates specific sections of the law (TCA Title 50, Chapter 6, Part 2) to clarify fund usage, change procedural terms like replacing "petition" with "file a motion," and adjust language about impairment ratings and physician certifications. It directly affects the Bureau of Workers' Compensation and its administrative operations, not workers or employers. The key change is authorizing computer system costs as a permissible use of this existing fund, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1864 modifies Tennessee's security guard licensing rules by adding stalking to the list of crimes requiring a five-year waiting period after completing a sentence or probation before an applicant can register. It also disqualifies applicants from security guard registration if they are listed on a state or out-of-state abuse registry or have firearm prohibitions (like orders of protection). The bill updates requirements for security guards to report arrests or convictions related to specified offenses within 10 days. These changes directly affect individuals seeking security guard licenses who have certain criminal histories.