Sen. Brent Taylor

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to the Shelby County occupancy tax, which currently funds the local convention center and is tied to the existence of an indoor sports facility. The legislation would extend the tax until either a National Basketball Association franchise stops using the facility or June 30, 2050, whichever comes later. Additionally, if the NBA team leaves, the bill directs that 61.25% of the tax revenue go to the convention and visitors bureau while the remaining 38.75% goes to the county for general use. These changes require a two-thirds vote of approval from the Shelby County legislative body to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 2265 creates a registry within Tennessee’s Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for individuals convicted of specific retail theft crimes, including offenses under Tennessee Code §39-14-113 (organized retail theft) and related charges. The registry includes basic identifying information like name, date of birth, offense details, and conviction date, and is accessible only to law enforcement. Convicted individuals remain on the registry for 10 years after their most recent conviction, or until expungement or death is verified. The bill also increases minimum sentences for certain thefts involving firearms or devices that disable store security systems.

Maddy summarySB 2213 requires public utilities to submit written requests to the Tennessee Public Utility Commission when seeking cost recovery for innovative natural gas infrastructure projects. This amendment directly affects utilities that build or upgrade natural gas systems, changing the process from oral requests to formal written submissions. The bill modifies specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 65, Section 65-5-114(c)) to mandate this written requirement. It is a procedural change focused on administrative clarity, not a substantive policy shift for consumers or infrastructure development.

Maddy summarySB 2102 requires Tennessee's Public Utility Commission to submit its annual report comparing utility rates (for telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater) between Tennessee and southeastern states via electronic means. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to authorize this electronic submission method, replacing previous requirements for physical copies. This change directly affects the Public Utility Commission, streamlining how it delivers this comparative rate analysis to the General Assembly. The bill focuses solely on the reporting method, not on altering utility rates or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1826 amends Tennessee law to allow emergency communications district boards to participate in meetings remotely via electronic means while complying with open meetings requirements. It directly affects emergency communications district boards by adding them to the definition of "governing body" under Tennessee's open meetings law (TCA § 8-44-108). The key provision expands existing rules to explicitly permit electronic participation for these boards during regular meetings. This change ensures transparency while accommodating remote attendance needs for emergency communications district operations. The bill is procedural, updating statutory definitions to include these boards in current open meetings provisions.

Maddy summarySB 2057 clarifies that wastewater utility systems must provide sewer connections to property owners when the utility has a gravity sewer line located *adjacent* to the property, not just when the line is physically on the property. This change directly affects property owners seeking sewer connections who currently face barriers if the utility line runs alongside but doesn’t cross their land. The bill amends Tennessee law (specifically TCA Titles 7, Chapters 35 and 82, and Title 68, Chapter 221) to remove the requirement that the sewer line must be "on" the property, simplifying the connection process. The key mechanism is updating the legal language to explicitly include "adjacent" as sufficient for connection eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 855 changes a procedural deadline for municipal utility boards in Tennessee. It increases the time allowed for newly appointed board members to elect a chair from 10 calendar days to 10 business days. The bill specifically amends Section 7-52-110(b) of Tennessee Code to reflect this change, affecting boards appointed under the Municipal Electric Plan Law of 1935. This is a purely procedural adjustment with no direct impact on utility rates, services, or the public.

Maddy summarySB 714 changes the annual deadline for Tennessee's Departments of Education and Health to submit a report on student medication and healthcare procedures. The bill moves the submission date from October 31 to October 1 each year, requiring the departments to report on self-administered medications, healthcare procedures, and recommendations for comprehensive school health. This report covers all public and nonpublic accredited schools in the state. The change provides an earlier timeline for reviewing school health practices and recommendations.

Maddy summarySB 2191 allows Tennessee counties, cities, or metropolitan governments (political subdivisions) to require developers to pay for offsite public infrastructure improvements - such as roads, utilities, stormwater systems, or sidewalks - needed to support future development beyond the developer's property boundary. The bill mandates that cost-sharing agreements must be based on the development's proportional impact on infrastructure, with local governments having 60 days to approve or deny requests. If disagreements arise, developers can seek resolution through the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation. This directly affects developers seeking approval for new projects and local governments managing infrastructure funding.

Maddy summarySB 2405 changes Tennessee's law to extend the time the POST Commission must notify retired law enforcement officers of a denied firearm permit application, from 10 calendar days to 10 business days. This directly affects retired officers whose permit applications are denied by the POST Commission. The key provision adjusts the timeline for official notification, replacing calendar days with business days to account for weekends and holidays. This change provides retired officers with a more practical timeframe to address denial decisions.