Sen. Rusty Crowe

Maddy summarySB 2013 establishes a two-year moratorium on approving new out-of-state nursing programs seeking to place students in Tennessee for clinical experiences. It directly affects out-of-state nursing programs (though existing approved programs retain status during the moratorium) and requires the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement to develop new standards for these programs. Key mechanisms include mandating annual reporting on student placements, preceptors, and outcomes, and requiring verification of preceptor licensure and program data. The bill also directs the Center to publish final standards by June 2027 and annual oversight reports starting in 2027.

Maddy summarySB 2087 requires Tennessee school principals to notify parents or guardians when a classroom evacuation occurs due to another student's violent, aggressive, or severely disruptive behavior. Parents must receive a notification by the end of the school day, including a brief explanation of the incident and safety steps taken, without disclosing the student who caused the disruption or violating privacy laws like FERPA. Schools must also maintain written records of each evacuation, including notification details. This bill directly affects parents of students in classrooms evacuated for safety reasons and applies to all Tennessee public schools.

Maddy summarySB 2434 creates a new Class C misdemeanor offense for knowingly operating an unmanned aircraft (drone) over the grounds of a school in Tennessee. This law directly affects drone operators who fly near schools, making such intentional activity a punishable offense. The bill amends Tennessee Code to add this specific provision under criminal offenses, classifying it as a Class C misdemeanor (not a felony) and setting an effective date of July 1, 2026. It does not apply to general drone use but specifically targets flights over school property without authorization.

Maddy summarySB 2424 prohibits certain foreign-controlled entities (including foreign governments or entities they control) from acquiring or holding non-agricultural land in Tennessee after January 1, 2025. It requires existing foreign-controlled entities holding such land by that date to register detailed ownership information - including the foreign entity's nationality, business purpose, and ownership chain - with the Secretary of State within 60 days of the deadline. Violations carry fines up to $1,500 for illegal ownership or $2,000 per late registration. The bill directly affects foreign-controlled businesses or governments seeking to own or maintain non-agricultural land in Tennessee, with enforcement beginning July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors the Appalachian Fair as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026. The bill recognizes the fair's century-long contribution to agriculture, education, and community life in Northeast Tennessee and the surrounding region. It formally acknowledges the fair's history, from its founding in 1926 to its growth into a major regional event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The resolution extends congratulations to the fair's organizers, participants, and supporters for their continued success.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally honors Jaden Yoder for being named the 2026 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County. The measure does not change any laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial recognition of her seven years of membership and her leadership within the organization. It directs the state legislature to commend her achievements and prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to her.

Maddy summarySB 2426 requires Tennessee's Department of Education, Office of Early Learning, to submit an annual report by July 1 each year to the governor and General Assembly on pre-kindergarten program status. The report must include specific data like the number and locations of pre-K providers, provider types, and the number of at-risk children served. It also mandates that this report be published on the department's website for public access. This bill directly affects the Office of Early Learning by establishing a new annual reporting requirement for pre-kindergarten program data.

Maddy summarySB 2427 amends Tennessee law to expand eligibility for medication aide certification to include students in good standing enrolled in approved nursing schools who complete specific coursework in nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and medication administration with a passing grade. This change directly affects nursing students seeking early certification, alongside existing pathways for certified nurse aides or licensed occupational therapy assistants. The bill also establishes a 14- to 90-day timeframe for training programs and adjusts how certification exam pass rates are calculated. These provisions aim to streamline the certification process for medication aides while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summarySB 1679 modifies how Tennessee local governments can issue short-term debt known as grant anticipation notes (GANS). It directly affects cities, counties, and other local governments seeking to finance public works projects before receiving grant funds. The key change authorizes the state comptroller to approve certain GANS if a local government demonstrates economic distress from a natural disaster certified by FEMA. The bill also requires local governments to secure these notes with pledged grant funds and clarifies that proceeds from other debt types (like bond anticipation notes) cannot cover GANS payments.

Maddy summarySB 2433 deletes an expired pilot program from Tennessee law that previously aimed to improve parent-teacher engagement in kindergarten through second grade at two or more public schools selected by the education department. The bill amends Title 49 of the Tennessee Code by removing Section 49-6-308, which contained the outdated program details. This is a procedural change to eliminate a provision that was no longer active, with no new requirements or impacts on current schools or policies. The action reflects administrative cleanup of expired legislation, not a policy shift.