Sen. Rusty Crowe

Maddy summarySB 2089 prohibits motor vehicle dealers and salespeople from knowingly retaining copies of customer identification (such as driver's licenses, photo IDs, or Social Security cards) in electronic or physical formats. It directly affects dealers and sales staff who handle customer information during vehicle transactions. The law allows dealers to request ID for normal business purposes but bans keeping copies unless acting under a valid power of attorney for title/registration transactions. Violations are punishable as Class B misdemeanors with a $1,000 fine, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 566 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Cristy Dunn, a Mountain City artist and community leader, for receiving the Tennessee Arts Commission's 2025 Arts Leadership Award. It recognizes her work founding the Johnson County Center for the Arts, creating the Mountain City Mural Mile, co-founding the Long Journey Home Musical Heritage Festival, and supporting Appalachian arts education. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely expresses legislative commendation. It passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed by the Governor on February 3, 2026. This is purely symbolic recognition with no direct impact on laws, funding, or affected individuals beyond the honoree.

Maddy summarySB 654 creates Tennessee's "Caring for Caregivers Act," establishing a pilot program to provide financial grants to family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. The program offers up to $6,000 annually per caregiver to offset eligible expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, and respite care for family members needing help with two or more daily activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, or mobility). Caregivers must have household income below $37,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) and provide care for a relative living in a private home, not a facility. The bill extends the program's termination date from December 2025 to December 2026, with funding starting at $600,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Maddy summarySB 646 creates a $200 million Hurricane Helene disaster recovery fund to assist counties impacted by flooding from Hurricane Helene. The fund provides population-based grants to county governments for infrastructure repairs (e.g., $15 million for counties of 17,900-18,000 residents) and direct household assistance for property repairs, replacement of personal items, rent, and utilities. Funds must be allocated equally between county infrastructure grants and household aid, with counties administering applications and disbursements based on need. The law, now enacted as Public Chapter 521, ensures funds remain dedicated to recovery efforts without reverting to the general treasury.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to pay $85 monthly from existing budget funds to correctional officers (active or retired) who take custody of retired service dogs. The payment covers only medical care for the retired canine and must be documented with annual records submitted to the department. Officers must notify the department within 30 days of the dog's death, at which point payments stop. The law applies to dogs retired due to age, injury, or other reasons after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 644 modifies Tennessee's nursing regulations to expand access to practical nursing programs at public colleges. It requires the Board of Nursing to allow students meeting high school diploma or equivalent qualifications to enroll in these programs and permits them to take the NCLEX-PN exam upon completion. The bill also mandates a minimum of 1,296 clock hours for practical nursing programs and requires public colleges to offer pre-nursing courses starting in high school. These changes directly affect prospective practical nurses and public institutions of higher education governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Maddy summarySB 1143 amends Tennessee election law to extend the retention period for voter purge records from two to three years, requiring county election commissions to keep these records for three years after a purge. The bill also mandates that election officials receive training on temporary identification documents issued to non-U.S. citizens, clarifying that these documents cannot be used as valid ID for ballot applications. This change takes effect January 1, 2026, and modifies existing provisions in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 2. The bill focuses on administrative record-keeping and official training, not voter eligibility or new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 293 clarifies that Tennessee's State Guard must be treated as a separate budgetary unit within the state's military department. This procedural change, effective upon enactment, modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 58-1-408 and 9-4-101 to explicitly state the State Guard's distinct budgetary status. The bill does not alter the State Guard's operational role or affect citizens directly; it only specifies how its funding is categorized administratively. This is a technical clarification for state financial management, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summarySJR 402 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late James W. "Jim" Ayers, a Tennessee businessman and philanthropist. It commemorates his life and legacy, highlighting his founding of FirstBank, leadership of the Ayers Foundation, and contributions to Tennessee education and communities. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family and formally recognizes his impact through specific achievements like the Ayers Institute and Jim Ayers Tower at Vanderbilt. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy effect and directly affects no individuals or entities beyond acknowledging his contributions.

Maddy summarySJR 411 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. William Turney Williams for his service as Chairman of the Washington County Republican Party, his 37-year medical career treating chronic pain in East Tennessee, and his community involvement including volunteer work with animal welfare organizations. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions without creating any new laws or legal obligations. It was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor on May 2, 2025.