Sen. Rusty Crowe

Maddy summarySJR 362 is a memorial resolution honoring Steve Grindstaff, a longtime Elizabethton businessman and community leader known for owning multiple car dealerships across Northeast Tennessee. The resolution formally recognizes his life, business achievements (including his "Little Detroit" dealership complex), charitable work, and family legacy. It expresses the Tennessee General Assembly's condolences to his surviving family members and commemorates his contributions to the region. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact and serves solely to honor his memory.

Maddy summarySB 1142 requires all Tennessee water utility systems that sell fluoridated water to obtain a certificate of analysis for the fluoride content and post both this certificate and the fluoride material safety data sheet online. The law directly affects public water utilities across the state that add fluoride to drinking water. Key provisions mandate posting these documents on the utility's website or the state utility board's website, with the requirement taking effect July 1, 2025. This is a transparency measure focused on providing public access to fluoride testing data for drinking water.

Maddy summarySB 333 requires all hospitals licensed by Tennessee's Health Facilities Commission or the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to annually report, on a monthly basis, the number of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) working at each facility. The Department of Health will create the required reporting form and set submission deadlines. This bill directly affects hospitals by mandating data collection on APRN staffing levels, without changing nurse practice standards or patient care requirements. The data will be used for state-level workforce analysis, as the bill focuses solely on reporting obligations.

Maddy summarySB 331 amends Tennessee law to change the deadline for TennCare to report on perinatal care quality and outcomes. Specifically, it moves the reporting date from March 1 to January 15 each year. The report must cover the previous two fiscal or calendar years and be submitted to legislative committees after consultation with the perinatal advisory committee and relevant state agencies. This bill only adjusts a procedural deadline for existing reporting requirements under Tennessee Code.

Maddy summarySB 295 expands Tennessee's tuition waiver program for dependents of veterans to include children and spouses of veterans with permanent, total service-connected disabilities (100% disability rating). It directly affects dependent children under 23 and spouses of qualifying veterans who served during a qualifying conflict. The bill requires U.S. government certification of the disability, mandates Tennessee residency for the veteran at application, and sets a 10-year eligibility window for spouses. The waiver covers all tuition and fees at public colleges and universities, effective for the 2025-2026 academic term.

Maddy summarySB 1154, the "Tennessee Health SNAP Act," would require Tennessee to seek a federal waiver to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from purchasing candy and sugary drinks. If approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this restriction would affect SNAP recipients (who could no longer buy these items with benefits) and retailers (who would need updated point-of-sale systems). The bill mandates that the waiver request include public health justification, an implementation plan for retailers, and education programs for recipients. Tennessee would also submit annual reports tracking spending patterns and implementation challenges, with the policy set to take effect July 1, 2025, if the waiver is granted.

Maddy summarySB 645, a Tennessee legislative bill that was withdrawn on March 25, 2025, would have made three key changes to voting rules. It would have banned online voting for most voters (except military and overseas citizens who already have specific provisions), prohibited using post office boxes for voter registration or voting addresses, and required voters who moved counties within Tennessee to vote based on their current residence without needing to update registration. The bill directly affected all Tennessee voters by altering how they register, establish residency, and cast ballots. It amended Tennessee Code Annotated Title 2, specifically sections on voting equipment, address requirements, and residency voting rules.

Maddy summarySB 653 exempts new specialty license plates that fund state historic sites from Tennessee's standard minimum sales requirements. Specifically, it removes the need for 1,000 initial plates and 800 renewal plates for plates where revenue is allocated to a nonprofit supporting a site designated as a state historic site by the Tennessee Historical Commission. This applies to plates authorized under specific sections of state law (e.g., § 55-4-311) and directly affects nonprofit organizations managing these historic site programs. The bill changes the licensing rules to make it easier for such plates to be issued without meeting typical sales thresholds.

Maddy summarySB 1144 requires drivers in Tennessee to reduce speed and, if safe, change lanes when approaching slow-moving or stationary farm tractors or equipment displaying a slow-moving vehicle indicator, such as flashing hazard lights, two red flags (each at least 18 inches square), or a reflective orange triangle. The bill amends Tennessee traffic law (TCA Title 55) to apply this rule to farm equipment operating on roadways, directly affecting drivers and agricultural operators. It defines clear indicators to ensure consistent recognition by drivers and specifies that actions must be taken "with due regard to safety and traffic conditions." The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, aiming to improve safety for farm equipment operators and other road users.

Maddy summarySB 1147 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to annually compile and publish a list of all teacher training requirements for licensed educators teaching grades K-12 in public schools or public charter schools. The list must be posted on the department's website and submitted to relevant legislative committees by June 30 each year. This procedural bill directly affects public school teachers and administrators by increasing transparency around educator preparation standards. It does not change existing training requirements but mandates annual public reporting.