Sen. Rusty Crowe

Maddy summarySB 1150 requires Tennessee's State Board of Examiners for Architects and Engineers to publish exam schedules, locations, and passing score requirements for engineer intern and professional engineer certifications on its official website. This applies directly to individuals seeking these licenses, including architects, engineers, and designers preparing for state licensing exams. The bill amends existing law (TCA Sections 62-2-405, 49, 62, and 63) to mandate this transparency, ensuring candidates can access clear, standardized information about exam administration. It does not change exam content, difficulty, or eligibility requirements - only how the board shares scheduling and scoring details. As a procedural transparency measure, the bill focuses on making existing exam processes more accessible to applicants.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 1167 formally congratulates the Milligan University disc golf teams on winning the 2026 men's and women's Division I national championships. This legislative act serves as an official recognition of the athletes and coaches who achieved this historic first national title for the university's program. The resolution specifically honors the winning teams and acknowledges their contributions to collegiate disc golf. It does not create new laws or funding but functions as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the team's accomplishments.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally honors the fourteen alumni of Happy Valley High School who died while serving in the U.S. military. It recognizes their sacrifices during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm by listing their names, service details, and military decorations. The resolution does not create new laws or programs but serves as an official state tribute to their service and sacrifice. It directs that a copy of the resolution be prepared for presentation to the families or appropriate organizations upon request.

Maddy summarySB 2430 requires property owners or managers to post clear, defined boundaries on signs warning that driving, parking, or operating a vehicle on their property is prohibited. It amends Tennessee trespassing law (TCA Title 39) to mandate that signs must explicitly state the exact area where vehicle use is banned, rather than using vague language. This change directly affects landowners, businesses, and local governments that enforce vehicle restrictions on their property. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, aiming to reduce confusion about prohibited zones for drivers. It does not alter penalties for trespassing but focuses solely on standardizing sign requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2094 changes tuition rules at Tennessee public colleges and universities to better support military-connected students. It requires schools to classify as "in-state" for tuition purposes the spouse of a service member who resides in Tennessee while enrolled, even if the service member hasn’t lived in Tennessee for a year. The bill also expands eligibility to include dependents of active-duty military personnel or veterans living outside Tennessee. Public institutions must now *provide* in-state tuition to these groups (replacing a previous "may" option), and the law defines "military-affiliated" to cover spouses, dependents, and active-duty personnel. The changes take effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Maddy summarySB 1152, the "Ola Mae Ransom Reintegration Act," exempts Tennessee veterans of the U.S. military (including National Guard and reserves) from paying the $15 fee required for a business license. It directly affects veterans seeking to start or operate businesses in Tennessee, removing a financial barrier to entrepreneurship. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly state that veterans cannot be charged this fee for business licenses, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change aims to support veterans' economic reintegration by reducing costs associated with business licensing.

Maddy summarySB 1151 removes a requirement that students with documented intellectual disabilities must enroll in an eligible Tennessee postsecondary program within 16 months of graduating high school to qualify for the STEP UP scholarship. This change directly affects students with intellectual disabilities seeking state-funded scholarships for higher education. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing the STEP UP program by deleting the specific 16-month enrollment deadline. The policy change applies to scholarships awarded starting the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summarySB 651 revises how Tennessee calculates property tax relief for eligible disabled veterans who own their primary residence. The bill changes the formula so that tax relief is determined by multiplying the assessed value (25% of the first $175,000 of a home's market value) by the standard local property tax rate, rather than an adjusted rate. This change applies to tax years beginning July 1, 2025, and directly affects disabled veterans qualifying for this property tax exemption. The policy update simplifies the calculation method without altering the $175,000 property value threshold.

Maddy summarySB 650 ("Emma's Bill") requires Tennessee's TennCare program to consider a patient's overall health condition - not just cost - when deciding if medical services are medically necessary. It directly affects TennCare patients (particularly those with complex needs like ventilator use or mobility issues) and the Tennessee Department of Health (the "bureau" making coverage decisions). The bill amends TennCare rules to mandate that reviewers assess factors like mobility, cognitive ability, need for supervision, and life-sustaining equipment, even if the chosen care isn't the least expensive option. This shifts the focus from cost-cutting to holistic patient needs in coverage determinations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 294 exempts qualifying Tennessee National Guard members from paying sales tax on the first $15,000 of a motor vehicle purchase, limited to one vehicle per five years. It applies only to vehicles registered in Tennessee and requires buyers to provide proof of active Guard membership and unit certification to sellers. The exemption covers sales tax on the vehicle's purchase price up to $15,000, not the full cost, and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects Tennessee National Guard members purchasing new vehicles for personal use.