Sen. Raumesh Akbari

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 325) is a ceremonial memorial honoring Ava May Christopher, a 20-year-old Memphis resident who passed away in 2023. It commemorates her life, highlighting her dedication to theater, music, family, and her academic pursuits as a University of Memphis biology major with minors in vocal music and theater. The resolution extends condolences to her family and community, reflecting on her "joy, determination, and kindness" during her brief life. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes six Tennessee middle school students - Charlotte Mount, Josiah Young, Adedamola Adeyemo, Bobby Calvin III, Amara-Asa Nwachukwu, and Tiernan Carney - as 2024 National Ambassadors for the Do the Write Thing Challenge. The program engages middle school students in writing about youth violence prevention, with participants submitting reflections on its causes and solutions. The resolution formally commends these students for representing Tennessee at the national event in Washington, D.C., where they toured the Library of Congress and had their writings published. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but honors their role in a national youth violence prevention initiative.

Maddy summarySJR 17 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor the life and legacy of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter following his death. It recognizes his service as a humanitarian, his presidency (1977-1981), and his advocacy for civil rights, peace (including the Camp David Accords), and human rights, such as appointing women to key roles and supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any specific group but serves as a symbolic tribute to his public service.

Maddy summarySB 1184 requires individuals convicted of domestic assault or subject to a court-ordered protection plan to surrender all firearms to a designated law enforcement agency within 48 hours. They must also submit a sworn affidavit of surrender and a receipt from the agency to the court within three business days. This applies to people under existing protection orders or those convicted of domestic violence offenses in Tennessee. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to domestic violence protection orders (Title 36), criminal sentencing (Title 39), and firearm possession laws (Title 40), creating a standardized process for firearm surrender and documentation.

Maddy summarySB 1176 allows the largest city in Shelby, Davidson, Knox, or Hamilton County (based on 2020 census population thresholds) to create local rules about how firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories must be stored. Specifically, it applies to cities with at least 181,000 residents in counties with 366,200+ residents. The bill changes state law to permit these municipalities to adopt ordinances, rules, or policies governing firearm storage methods. This directly affects local governments in those specific large counties and their residents, without restricting firearm ownership or carry.

Maddy summarySB 337 allows Tennessee counties with populations over 900,000 (per the 2020 census) to temporarily increase their local sales tax rate from 2.75% to 3.75% for up to eight years. The additional revenue must be used exclusively for constructing a new county jail or paying off debt related to such construction. If the jail debt is paid off early, the tax rate reverts to 2.75% immediately. After the temporary period, counties must allocate revenue from the 2.75% tax rate to fund sheriff's department operations (in addition to existing funding), not for other purposes.

Maddy summarySB 1422 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to investigate workplace bullying simultaneously with investigations into workplace crimes of violence (such as assaults or threats). It directly affects employers, employees, and law enforcement by mandating that agencies report findings to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI must then compile these reports into annual summaries on workplace bullying and violence, submitted to legislative committees starting July 1, 2026. The bill defines "bullying" as actions causing physical harm or reasonable fear of harm to coworkers in workplaces like offices or factories.

Maddy summarySB 1348 removes an exception that currently allows certain individuals to carry handguns without a permit in specific locations. It deletes language from Tennessee law that previously exempted people who lawfully possess a handgun and are at least 21 years old (or 18 with military service) from being charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm while in a place they are legally allowed to be. The bill directly affects those who currently rely on this exemption, making it a criminal offense to carry a handgun in such settings without a permit. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) on its 50th anniversary, recognizing its five decades of work fostering nonpartisan government affairs, promoting diversity, and improving communication between public and private sectors in Tennessee. Passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor, it commends SGAC's members for their contributions to state governance and policy advocacy without creating new laws or obligations.

Maddy summarySB 1349 automatically removes and destroys public records of eligible Class E felony or misdemeanor convictions one year after the person completes their sentence. It directly affects individuals convicted of qualifying offenses who meet existing expunction criteria under Tennessee law. The bill requires court clerks to handle this process without cost to the person, with courts notifying clerks for future cases (post-July 1, 2025), and allowing pre-2025 convictions to be processed via a request to the court. This eliminates manual steps for eligible individuals, streamlining access to record clearance.