Sen. Joey Hensley

Maddy summarySB 826 would exempt real estate appraisers from Tennessee's business tax on their services. The bill amends the state's business tax code (TCA Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 7) to add a specific exemption for "services furnished by persons engaged in the appraisal of real estate or real property." This change removes a tax burden currently applied to appraisal services provided by licensed professionals. It directly affects real estate appraisers who provide property valuation services to clients like homeowners, buyers, and sellers.

Maddy summarySB 1095 exempts the first $20 of the sales price for tangible personal property (like everyday items) when paid with physical cash, including gold and silver coins. It directly affects consumers making small cash purchases, reducing their sales tax burden on the initial $20 of each transaction. The exemption does not apply to other taxes (such as those on vehicles or specific services) or payments made with credit/debit cards. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and would require retailers to adjust cash transaction tax calculations for eligible purchases.

Maddy summarySB 989 corrects the official name of the Cumberland Museum and Science Center to "Adventure Science Center" in Tennessee law to ensure the institution remains eligible for state educational grants-in-aid under Title 49. This technical amendment updates the statutory reference (TCA § 49-3-320) so the center can continue receiving existing state funding for educational programs. The bill directly affects the Adventure Science Center by aligning its legal name with its current identity. It does not create new funding or change program requirements.

Maddy summarySB 163 increases penalties for reckless endangerment involving discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle in Tennessee. If the vehicle is occupied, the offense becomes a Class C felony (up from Class E); if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill directly affects anyone who fires a gun into a vehicle, raising criminal consequences based on whether occupants were present. It amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-103 to clarify these penalty levels, effective July 1, 2025. The change applies specifically to motor vehicles as defined by state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 11 of each year as "General Pulaski Memorial Day" in Tennessee to honor Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish military leader who fought for American independence during the Revolutionary War. It adds this observance to state law (Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2) but clarifies it is not a legal holiday requiring state office closures. The designation recognizes Pulaski’s legacy, including his role in founding the American cavalry and his death during the Siege of Savannah in 1779. Tennessee residents and communities are directly affected through this formal state recognition of the day.

Maddy summarySB 1714, titled the "Protecting Religious Liberty and Expression in Public Schools Act," amends Tennessee law to restrict how public school employees and state officials may enforce the "separation of church and state" doctrine. The bill defines this doctrine to include specific Supreme Court rulings (like *Engel v. Vitale* and *Lemon v. Kurtzman*) and prohibits state employees from enforcing it except when required by a court judgment or a directly-on-point U.S. Supreme Court ruling. It directly affects teachers, administrators, and school officials in Tennessee public schools (K-12) by limiting their ability to restrict religious expression based on the listed court decisions. Violations allow affected individuals to sue for declaratory relief, injunctions, and damages, with the law creating legal remedies for those claiming religious liberty was unjustly restricted.

Maddy summarySB 1628 amends Tennessee law to expand eligibility for a fee waiver on lifetime enhanced handgun carry permits. It adds a new category allowing retired law enforcement officers who served less than 10 years but retired due to a line-of-duty injury (and were POST-certified or had equivalent training at retirement) to qualify for the waiver. Previously, only officers with at least 10 years of service were eligible. This change directly affects retired officers with qualifying injury-related retirements who would not have met the prior service requirement. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-17-1351 and 38.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends Dylan Binns for his exemplary work as a legislative intern assisting Senator Joey Hensley during the 2026 session. The resolution recognizes Binns's contributions to the legislative process and his academic background in political science and economics at Belmont University. It formally acknowledges his dedication and performance, with a copy of the resolution to be presented to him as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summarySJR 422 is a non-binding resolution directing Tennessee's Governor to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a supplemental medical benefits program called the CHAMP Plan. The resolution requires the Governor to specifically assess whether Champion Health, Inc.'s proposed plan - where employees voluntarily contribute pre-tax dollars for supplemental coverage that may increase take-home pay - could be added to the state's existing health benefits for employees and retirees. The evaluation must analyze potential cost savings, ensure the program is voluntary, and report findings to the legislature within 60 days of a pilot program's conclusion, with no commitment to adopt the plan.

Maddy summarySB 831 requires Tennessee voters to specify a political party affiliation (or choose "Unaffiliated") on their voter registration record to participate in that party's primary election. Voters who do not indicate an affiliation at registration will automatically be recorded as "Unaffiliated." For the first primary election after the law takes effect on July 1, 2025, voters without an affiliation can declare their party preference at the polls, and the county election commission will record this in their permanent registration. This change updates voter registration procedures to mandate party affiliation for primary voting, with the option to declare at the polls for first-time primary voters.