Sen. Joey Hensley

Maddy summarySB 829 creates a new Class B misdemeanor offense for drivers who intentionally refuse to exit their vehicle when lawfully stopped by police. It directly affects individuals stopped during traffic stops who ignore an officer's request to leave their vehicle. The bill amends Tennessee law to define this refusal as a punishable offense, with penalties including fines or up to 60 days in jail. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies only during lawful traffic stops where the officer has a valid reason to stop the vehicle.

Maddy summarySB 348 requires Tennessee voters registering after July 1, 2025, to submit proof of U.S. citizenship (like a birth certificate or passport) with their registration. The state election coordinator must monthly compare the voter database with state/federal records (e.g., driver's licenses, Social Security) to identify non-citizens. If citizenship is questioned, counties notify voters by certified mail to provide proof within 30 days; failure results in removal from voter rolls (with voting history retained) but allows appeals to the state election commission. The bill directly affects new and existing voters in Tennessee and modifies election procedures under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 2.

Maddy summarySB 347 clarifies the definition of "signature" for Tennessee election documents like absentee ballots, voter registration forms, and nomination petitions. It requires signatures to be handwritten in legible English (with specific exceptions for initials, witnesses for voters unable to write, or physical marks like "X"), and mandates that voter addresses on petitions match registration records to avoid invalidation. The bill directly affects voters submitting election documents and county election officials verifying signatures, aiming to reduce signature disputes and legal challenges. These changes amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, to streamline verification processes under Sections 2-1-104, 2-1-107, and related provisions.

Maddy summarySB 1094, the "Suicide Prevention Act of 2025," creates a voluntary program allowing Tennessee residents to temporarily waive their right to purchase firearms. It directly affects individuals who are either hospitalized for mental health treatment or personally concerned about their mental health. To enroll, participants submit a form to their local court clerk, which triggers the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Department of Safety to block firearm purchases until the waiver is revoked. Participants can cancel the waiver after 14 days by submitting a revocation form, after which firearm access resumes (unless other legal restrictions apply). The program includes an optional feature where participants can designate "guardian angels" (trusted contacts) to be notified if they revoke the waiver.

Maddy summarySB 828 requires blood donation centers in Tennessee to ask donors whether they’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine and to label blood bags if the donor is vaccinated (without sharing personal details). It allows patients needing a non-emergency blood transfusion to request blood based on the donor’s vaccination status, with healthcare providers obligated to provide that blood if available. The bill directly affects blood donors, donation centers, and patients receiving transfusions in non-emergency settings. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68 regarding blood donation procedures.

Maddy summarySB 1402 would authorize the Tennessee Historical Commission to purchase the James K. Polk Home in Columbia, ending a current trust held by the James K. Polk Memorial Association. The Commission would then contract with a Tennessee nonprofit organization to manage and operate the property as a public museum, maintaining and improving it for visitors. The nonprofit would handle day-to-day operations under Commission guidelines while the Commission retains legal ownership. The bill requires annual reporting to state leaders and specifies that the home must be preserved as a museum open to the public for citizens and future generations.

Maddy summarySB 991 establishes a mandatory biennial September session for Tennessee's General Assembly, requiring it to convene on the Tuesday after Labor Day in odd-numbered years and adjourn by September 30. The bill limits the September session to considering 99 pre-filed bills (with specific exceptions like supplemental appropriations) and mandates that bills must be pre-filed by the third Thursday in August. It clarifies that September sessions do not count as regular sessions for appointment or confirmation purposes and requires committees to meet before the session to adjust rules. This directly affects all Tennessee lawmakers, committees, and the legislative process during these designated sessions.

Maddy summarySB 1404 prevents Tennessee municipalities or their agencies from changing taxes, fees, or costs for properties located outside city limits without approval from the county legislative body where those properties are situated. It also requires joint economic development boards to proportionally reflect the population of all cities and counties they serve by July 1, 2029, ensuring at least 90% of the county’s population is represented on these boards. The bill mandates that board appointments or elections after 2029 must gradually adjust representation to meet this requirement, with adjustments based on census data every decade. These changes directly affect property owners outside municipal boundaries and local development boards across Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 830 amends Tennessee's reckless endangerment law (TCA Title 39) to specifically make it a crime to recklessly discharge a firearm into the air in crowded places. It directly affects individuals who point guns toward the sky in areas with many people, such as parks or city centers. The bill defines "densely populated area" using measurable evidence like local population data, housing density, or the number of people present at the time. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 266 would require state and local government entities to display only the U.S. flag and Tennessee state flag on public courthouses, roads, and sidewalks, and prohibit public schools from displaying any flags other than the U.S. flag, Tennessee flag, or a specific list of exceptions (like POW/MIA flags or school flags). The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to enforce these display restrictions across government property and public schools. It also allows any citizen to file a lawsuit against violating entities and recover legal costs if they win. This law directly affects all public buildings, roads, and schools in Tennessee.