Sen. Joey Hensley

Maddy summarySJR 705 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the Columbia Rotary Club for its planned 2026 observance of the United States' 250th anniversary. It commends the club's "Declaration of Reverence" and its community event at River Walk Park, recognizing its efforts to foster civic pride and patriotism. This resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely expresses legislative support for the Rotary Club's commemorative activities. The resolution passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed into effect on March 4, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1899 allows Tennessee public universities to suspend faculty members - including those with tenure - without pay while investigating potential termination. It directly affects tenured faculty and university leadership by permitting suspensions during termination proceedings. The bill also requires the Tennessee Senate and House to confirm appointments of university presidents and chief executives selected on or after July 1, 2026, with a 90-day confirmation window. If confirmation fails, the position becomes vacant. These changes apply to all public institutions of higher education governed by state boards.

Maddy summarySB 2421 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to report specific data to legislative committees by January 1, 2027. The report must include the number of participants in the state's motorcycle rider education program for each of the last three calendar years, and detail how funds from the motorcycle rider safety fund were spent during the last three fiscal years. This bill does not change program eligibility, funding levels, or safety requirements - it only mandates transparency about participation and spending. The information will be provided to the chairs of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee and the relevant House committee.

Maddy summarySB 162 prohibits public water system operators in Tennessee from adding fluoride to drinking water. It directly affects all municipal water providers and utility districts that currently fluoridate their systems. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-221-711 to explicitly ban fluoride addition by water suppliers. The prohibition takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 652 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Wayne Brewer for his volunteer home repair work providing carpentry and plumbing services to the disabled and those in financial need, without charge. The resolution recognizes his decades of community service, emphasizing his generosity and dedication to improving living conditions for vulnerable residents. It serves as a formal expression of appreciation from the legislature, with a copy to be presented to Brewer as a tribute. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summarySJR 653 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Bill Bates for his community service in Tennessee. It recognizes his decade-long efforts, including organizing an annual golf tournament that raised over $200,000 for schoolchildren in Perry and Lewis Counties, and donating over 100 rounds of golf annually (valued at $4,000) to support community engagement. The resolution has passed unanimously and is now awaiting the Governor's signature.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 651) is a ceremonial resolution honoring Gary "Flash" Gordon for his volunteer work providing free home repairs to disabled and financially struggling residents in Tennessee for over five years. It directly recognizes Gordon's community service, which he performed without charging for his carpentry and plumbing expertise. The resolution, passed unanimously by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Senate Speaker, serves only as a formal expression of appreciation with no policy impact or legal effect. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or change existing regulations.

Maddy summarySB 2422 changes a reporting deadline related to gun background check fees in Tennessee. It shifts the date by which the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation must report to legislative committees from February 1 to February 15 each year. This affects gun dealers (who pay background check fees) and the committees receiving the report, as the change delays the annual review of fees exceeding background check costs. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1316, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1752 creates a single, organized reference list of existing training requirements for Tennessee school staff, principals, and volunteers. It categorizes these trainings by frequency (annual, triennial, or required before specific duties) and includes opportunities like asthma or bullying prevention training. The bill does not create new requirements but compiles existing mandates from over 20 state code sections into one accessible document for schools. This list affects all educators, school personnel, and volunteers working in Tennessee public schools and charter schools. The bill amends multiple statutes to explicitly include their training requirements in this new reference.

Maddy summarySJR 619 is a non-binding resolution recognizing Tennessee's youth substance abuse crisis, citing data like 29.8% of students vaping nicotine and 13% vaping marijuana per the 2022-2023 Tennessee Together Student Survey. It recommends schools implement evidence-based prevention programs - starting in kindergarten and continuing through graduation - integrated into existing health and physical education curricula. The resolution specifically advocates for life skills training, social-emotional learning, and mental health support as part of these programs. As a statement of intent, it urges the Tennessee Department of Education to adopt these approaches but does not create new laws or allocate funding.