Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summarySB 1887 requires Tennessee's Department of Tourist Development to annually confirm which nonprofit or tax-exempt public agencies serve as regional tourism organizations for each of the state's nine development districts. It mandates that these organizations must get department approval for their marketing plans before receiving state matching funds (with a $2 state dollar for every $1 from the organization, minimum $35,000). The bill also establishes clear definitions for tourism terms like "destination marketing organization" and "tourism event" to guide implementation. This directly affects regional tourism groups seeking state funding and the Department of Tourist Development, which gains oversight authority over fund distribution and marketing strategies.

Maddy summarySB 2204 amends Tennessee election law to allow the state's electronic voter registration portal (created by the Elections Coordinator) to access federal immigration data from the SAVE program if the U.S. Department of Homeland Security makes it available via a secure web service. This change would directly affect Tennessee's voter eligibility verification process by enabling the state to potentially check immigration status against federal records during registration. The key mechanism is authorizing the portal to connect to the SAVE program through a secure API, subject to federal data availability. The bill does not mandate federal data sharing but prepares the state system to use it if provided, pending approval by the federal government.

Maddy summarySB 1779 creates two new Class A misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee related to immigration status. It makes it illegal for individuals with a final removal order to remain in the state beyond 90 days without departing, and for those previously denied entry, deported, or removed to re-enter the state without federal consent. The bill would impose penalties including up to 11 months in jail for these violations, with courts required to stay criminal proceedings if the person is still challenging the federal removal order through legal channels. The law’s implementation is delayed until after a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturns *Arizona v. United States* (2012) or federal law explicitly allows states to determine unlawful presence, with full effect scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1637 amends Tennessee law to allow sheriffs and other authorized officials to require payment of the fee for serving a garnishment before performing the service, rather than after. The bill clarifies that all garnishments are treated as "original" for fee purposes, meaning the standard fee applies to every garnishment served. This change directly affects creditors (who initiate garnishments) and debtors' asset-holding entities (which must pay the fee upfront), as well as the officials serving the garnishments. The law takes effect upon becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 1464 requires Tennessee state and local government entities to keep confidential the personal information (like names and addresses) of officers involved in immigration enforcement, as well as details about future enforcement operations (such as dates, locations, and strategies). This applies to all state and local officials handling such records, with violations punishable as a Class E felony for reckless disclosure or removal from office. The law explicitly excludes information already public under federal law or court orders and does not prevent law enforcement from sharing necessary information for immigration enforcement. It amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to enforce this confidentiality and penalties.

Maddy summarySB 2222 creates a legal pathway for individuals to seek financial damages from people or entities that pay demonstrators to participate in protests, if those demonstrators commit specific criminal acts during the demonstration. It directly affects organizers who compensate protesters and individuals harmed by protest-related misconduct. The bill establishes liability if the demonstrator's conduct matches one of 11 listed offenses (such as rioting, disorderly conduct, or civil rights intimidation), without requiring a prior criminal conviction against the demonstrator. This policy change shifts potential financial responsibility to those who fund protest participation when illegal actions occur. The bill is currently pending in the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summarySB 2230 changes who serves on three Tennessee insurance committees. It replaces the state employees association-appointed member on the state insurance committee with a "preferred service employee" selected per new rules. The bill also shifts appointment authority for local school board representatives (to be selected by the commissioner of finance) and for municipal/county representatives (now appointed directly by the commissioner of finance, not by the Tennessee Municipal League or County Services Association). These changes affect committee composition for state employee, education, and local government insurance programs without altering insurance benefits or coverage.

Maddy summarySB 2251 would make it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly install, operate, or permit a virtual currency kiosk (a machine that exchanges digital money like Bitcoin for cash) in Tennessee. It directly affects businesses running these kiosks and property owners who allow them on their premises. The bill defines a "virtual currency kiosk" as an electronic terminal facilitating such exchanges and specifies that violations carry misdemeanor penalties. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, applying to actions occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 1710 requires all Tennessee public and charter schools to include child trafficking prevention and awareness education as part of health classes for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, replacing the previous requirement to teach this through family life curriculum. The bill mandates that instruction must be age-appropriate and developed annually, with schools submitting implementation plans by August 1, 2026, and annual reports by July 1, 2027, detailing delivery methods, instructor qualifications, and materials used. School boards and charter governing bodies must publish these plans on their websites. The policy applies to all K-12 public schools starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summarySB 1877 extends the reporting deadline for Tennessee's Department of Transportation (TDOT) regarding blocked highway-rail grade crossings. It changes the required annual report period from 2022-2026 to 2022-2027 and delays the submission deadline from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2028. This procedural bill directly affects TDOT's obligation to submit federal railroad administration data to legislative committees. The change provides one additional year for TDOT to compile and submit the required report.