Sen. Brent Taylor

Maddy summarySB 2193 requires Tennessee's governor to approve all workforce training programs eligible for federal workforce Pell grants, in consultation with the state workforce development board. It mandates coordination between state and federal programs to prevent duplicate payments for the same student costs already covered by federal Pell grants. The law specifies that the state workforce board must establish internal procedures to verify programs meet federal eligibility standards, but prohibits state agencies from creating new rules to implement this section. This bill directly affects workforce training programs seeking federal funding, state agencies managing workforce programs, and students enrolled in these programs.

Maddy summarySB 1928 updates Tennessee law to clarify who qualifies as a "victim" in criminal cases. It adds victims and their representatives to court procedures (e.g., allowing a victim’s designated representative to attend proceedings), expands the definition to include entities like insurance companies that compensated victims, and specifies protections for victims in cases involving vehicular homicide or evading arrest that caused injury. This directly affects crime victims seeking legal protections during court proceedings. The bill makes these definitions more explicit to ensure victims’ voices are heard in the judicial process.

Maddy summarySB 1929 requires individuals convicted of conspiracy, attempt, or solicitation to commit certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without reduction credits (like good time). It expands the existing list of offenses subject to this rule to include these preparatory acts for the same crimes already mandated to have full sentences. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying offenses that trigger the rule. This policy change affects people convicted of these specific preparatory acts for the designated crimes.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee bill defines gold and silver coins as legal tender, meaning they can be used to pay debts or taxes within the state. It prohibits anyone from forcing another person to accept these coins as payment unless mutually agreed upon in a contract or authorized by law. The law applies to all individuals, businesses, and government entities engaging in financial transactions in Tennessee, clarifying that precious metal coins are valid tender without changing how most everyday payments are handled.

Maddy summarySB 1982 changes probation eligibility for defendants convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm in Tennessee. It creates a rebuttable presumption that such defendants are not good candidates for probation, meaning courts would start with the assumption they don't qualify unless the defendant provides evidence to the contrary. This applies specifically to aggravated assault cases under Tennessee Code § 39-13-102 where a firearm was used or displayed during the offense. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 2042 amends Tennessee's sales tax law to allow the commissioner of revenue to issue tax exemption certificates for building materials in electronic form, in addition to paper. This directly affects businesses constructing, expanding, or renovating qualified new or expanded warehouse or distribution facilities in Tennessee. The key change updates existing procedures to permit electronic certificates, streamlining the process for obtaining sales tax exemptions on eligible materials. The bill does not alter the eligibility criteria for the exemption, only the medium through which certificates are issued.

Maddy summarySB 2135 urges the Tennessee Department of Revenue to study sales tax revenue from non-prepared food (like fresh produce) and prepared food over the previous five fiscal years. The department must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee chair, the House tax committee chair, and the Office of Legislative Budget Analysis by December 31, 2026. This bill does not change current tax rates or collections but requests a study to inform potential future policy decisions. It directly affects the Department of Revenue (which must conduct the study) and legislative committees (which will receive the report).

Maddy summarySB 1709 (Tennessee Civics Education Act) requires new educators seeking their first practitioner teacher or occupational teacher license in Tennessee to pass a U.S. civics test by July 1, 2027. The test, developed by the Tennessee Department of Education, consists of 100 questions based on the U.S. citizenship civics exam, with a 70% passing score (70 correct answers). The bill mandates the Department of Education to administer the test starting January 1, 2027, and provide a certificate of completion upon passing - though no remediation or preparation courses will be offered. This requirement directly affects new teachers entering the profession, not current license holders. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, for implementation.

Maddy summarySB 673, the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act," requires judges sentencing defendants for assault offenses to mandate completion of certified batterer's intervention programs (minimum 26 weeks, 3+ hours per session, max 6:1 counselor ratio) or drug/alcohol treatment as part of alternative sentencing. It directly affects individuals convicted of assault who receive alternative sentences, requiring them to complete these programs fully without shortening the term via plea agreements. The bill also adds new requirements for defendants in certain violations to attend violence-focused counseling and mandates 12+ hours yearly domestic violence training for judges and court staff. These provisions take effect July 1, 2025, and do not change assault definitions but alter sentencing conditions.

Maddy summarySB 719 adds William R. Moore College of Technology as an eligible institution for Tennessee’s Wilder-Naifeh technical skills and reconnect grants. It allows students at this college to receive grants covering the average tuition and fees at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), minus other gift aid like Pell Grants. The bill specifies the college must meet criteria including 75+ years in Tennessee, Council on Occupational Education accreditation, and offering bachelor’s degrees via articulation agreements. This change applies to the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond, directly affecting students enrolled in its certificate or diploma programs.