Sen. Raumesh Akbari

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 4) honors the Tennessee Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for hosting its annual "Delta Days at the Capitol" event, scheduled for February 17-18, 2025. The resolution commends the sorority’s work in organizing workshops and advocacy discussions focused on social issues like healthcare, education, and policy improvement, which began in 2010. It specifically recognizes the event’s role in uniting members statewide to develop strategies for community betterment. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy effect and solely expresses legislative appreciation.

Maddy summarySJR 20 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Linda Sklar upon her retirement from Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). It recognizes her nearly 50-year career with MSCS, including 13 years as Director of Optional Schools and advanced academic programs, and commends her professionalism and dedication to education. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it is purely a symbolic gesture of appreciation, adopted by both the Senate and House and signed by the Governor on February 10, 2025. It directly affects no individuals or entities beyond acknowledging Sklar's service.

Maddy summarySJR 18 is a commemorative resolution honoring Tom Lee's 1925 rescue of 32 people from a capsized Mississippi River boat. It formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of Lee's actions - despite not being able to swim - during the M.E. Norman incident. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes; it solely serves to memorialize Lee's heroism, which previously earned him a job, a home purchase by the Engineers Club, and a park named in his honor (Tom Lee Park, established 1954). As a symbolic gesture, it passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor in February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 234 amends Tennessee law to require peace officers providing security outside their primary jurisdiction to follow statewide notification and uniform standards, rather than only in certain counties. This change directly affects local peace officers, security personnel, and law enforcement agencies operating across county lines. The bill deletes subsection (c) of TCA 62-35-141, which previously limited these requirements to specific counties, thereby expanding them to apply uniformly throughout Tennessee. The key provision eliminates the county-specific restriction, making notification and uniform standards mandatory for all such officers statewide.

Maddy summarySB 578 designates December 14 of each year as "Hazel Moore Day" in Tennessee. The bill amends state code to require the governor to annually proclaim this day, commemorating Hazel Moore's contributions. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect specific groups or policies - only establishing a ceremonial observance. This is a symbolic, non-substantive measure with no regulatory or financial impact. The bill was reintroduced after being withdrawn but remains focused solely on naming a day of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 2) honors Victoria Eady Butler, the first Black female master blender in the premium whiskey industry, for her work with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and her role as a descendant of distiller Nathan "Nearest" Green. It recognizes her achievements through ceremonial language without creating legal obligations or policy changes. The resolution directly affects no individuals or entities beyond expressing the Tennessee Senate's formal appreciation. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect on state law or funding.

Maddy summarySB 3 clarifies that the legal definition of "abortion" in Tennessee criminal law does not include contraceptives (like birth control pills, devices, or procedures meant to prevent pregnancy) or the disposal of unimplanted embryos from fertility treatments (such as IVF). The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 37, 39, 63, and 68 to explicitly exclude these items from the term "abortion" as used in criminal statutes. This change directly affects how Tennessee’s criminal abortion laws apply, ensuring contraceptives and fertility treatment procedures are not classified as illegal abortion under current law. The bill focuses solely on defining existing legal terms, not creating new restrictions or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill enacts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact in Tennessee, allowing licensed cosmetologists to practice across member states without needing separate state licenses. It achieves this by updating existing laws to align with the compact's requirements for mutual recognition of cosmetology credentials. Additionally, the legislation extends the time for certain administrative actions from 30 days to 35 days. The changes directly affect cosmetology professionals and the state agencies that regulate their licensure.

Maddy summaryThis law requires the state to provide quarterly funding to Davidson and Shelby Counties to support their local public defender offices. The primary goal is to ensure that salaries in these districts match those of state public defenders when local pay scales are lower. Additionally, the bill mandates that future state funding increases must be at least equal to the salary raises given to state public defenders and district attorneys. These changes take effect immediately and apply to the state's annual budget for these specific judicial districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Professional Music Therapy Advisory Committee within the Board of Medical Examiners to regulate the practice of music therapy in Tennessee. The committee will issue licenses to qualified individuals, set rules for the profession, and take disciplinary action against unqualified or unethical practitioners. Members of the committee are appointed by the governor and must be licensed music therapists actively practicing or teaching in the state. The legislation also defines music therapy as the clinical use of music interventions to achieve individualized therapeutic goals, explicitly excluding the diagnosis or assessment of disorders.