Sen. Brent Taylor

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Tennessee law enforcement agencies to import and export human remains specifically for training purposes related to detecting human remains. To ensure safety and respect, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation must create and follow detailed rules covering how these remains are stored, used in training, and disposed of once they are no longer needed. These regulations will apply to state, county, and municipal police and sheriff departments that wish to use human remains as training aids. The law takes effect immediately upon signing and amends existing state codes to allow this specific type of training activity under strict oversight.

Maddy summarySB 2557, known as the Innovative School District Act, amends multiple sections of Tennessee's education code to establish a new framework for operating innovative school districts. The bill specifically targets public universities that are comprehensive doctoral institutions and host public training schools covering grades Pre-K through 12, allowing them to meet specific criteria to run these districts. A key provision of the law changes the start date for a relevant administrative period from November 1 to October 15, effective January 1, 2025. This change applies to the state's public education system, particularly affecting the relationship between higher education institutions and K-12 schooling.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Tennessee laws regarding expunctions, which are legal processes to seal or erase criminal records. It allows the state Bureau of Investigation to provide defendants with a certified copy of their expunction order for a reasonable fee. The legislation also clarifies which documents count as public records eligible for expunction and requires the Bureau to inform district attorneys if a person seeking expunction has already had one granted previously. These changes aim to streamline the record-clearing process and improve transparency for individuals petitioning to remove their criminal history.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the penalty for drag racing in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. It directly affects individuals who engage in illegal drag racing on public roads or highways. The key provision amends state law to classify the offense as a more serious felony crime, which carries heavier potential punishments than the previous misdemeanor charge. This change applies to any drag racing incidents that occur on or after July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis law allows the cities of Memphis and Nashville to change how they spend money collected from hotel and motel taxes, provided they do not alter the specific purpose for which the tax was originally set up. Previously, these cities were restricted to using the funds only for the designated use defined in the state code, but this change permits them to reallocate the revenue for other local needs. The bill applies specifically to existing hotel occupancy taxes in these two municipalities and does not affect other cities or types of taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing how revenue from Shelby County's hotel occupancy tax is distributed, requiring local approval from the Shelby County legislative body to take effect. Starting in Fiscal Year 2026, the funds would be split between the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the county to cover debt payments and operating costs for a new sports arena. The plan includes specific percentages for each recipient, a mechanism to refund the county if tax revenues fall short of required amounts, and two new seats on the Convention and Visitors Bureau board for county officials.

Maddy summaryThis law allows Tennessee juvenile courts to impose blended sentencing on minors aged 16 or older who commit serious felonies. Under this system, a young offender serves their sentence in the juvenile system until turning 18, after which they must complete a period of adult probation ending by their 25th birthday. The juvenile court retains authority to monitor the individual's compliance and can impose adult-level penalties if they violate probation rules or commit new crimes. These changes apply to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of a "qualified data center" in Tennessee to include facilities that have been transferred to an affiliate company through a specific type of corporate reorganization. Under the new rules, a data center that previously met the state's investment and job creation requirements will retain its qualified status even after being sold to a related entity, provided the transfer follows Internal Revenue Code guidelines. The change directly affects large technology companies and their corporate structures by ensuring they continue to receive sales and use tax exemptions for their data center operations after such internal transfers. By updating the Tennessee Code Annotated, the legislation clarifies that these tax benefits persist when a qualifying facility is moved within a corporate family rather than being sold to an unrelated third party.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee law makes it illegal to buy, own, sell, or distribute devices that can swap or hide a vehicle's license plate. The bill defines these tools as "license plate flippers," which include any mechanical or electronic gadgets that alternate between plates or obscure the license number. Anyone caught with such a device through criminal negligence faces a Class B misdemeanor charge, while those who manufacture or sell them face a more serious Class A misdemeanor. The new rules officially took effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires district attorneys in Tennessee to submit an annual report by March 1 detailing their criminal justice statistics, including arrest counts, indictments, case transfers, and court dispositions. The reports must be categorized by specific offenses and made available to the public upon request. Additionally, the Attorney General's office must compile these individual reports into a single statewide summary that is organized uniformly by offense and jurisdiction. This compiled statewide report will be shared with the governor, legislative leaders, and relevant committees to improve transparency and data accessibility.