Sen. Paul Rose

Maddy summaryThis law updates Tennessee's fuel tax rules to include hydrogen gas as an alternative fuel. It requires hydrogen to be taxed at the same rate as compressed natural gas when used in vehicles, while also exempting it from sales and use taxes. These changes apply to anyone purchasing or using hydrogen fuel in the state starting January 1, 2025. The update ensures that hydrogen is treated consistently with other alternative fuels like compressed natural gas under existing tax laws.

Maddy summaryThis law creates a new criminal offense for organizations that receive public funding to knowingly provide meeting spaces or platforms to designated groups. These groups are defined as entities that solicit support, recruit members, encourage violence, or promote divisive concepts. If a publicly funded entity violates this rule, it faces a Class E felony charge punishable by a fine of up to $3,000 per offense. The legislation specifically targets the provision of forums, including electronic and print media, to these designated organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the West Tennessee Regional Utility Authority to manage water and wastewater systems in Tipton County, Tennessee. The new authority is designed to plan, build, operate, and finance these essential services, with the power to enter into agreements with other local governments to join the system. A board of directors will be established to oversee the authority, and the county may transfer existing water or wastewater facilities to the new entity if they choose to do so. The legislation defines various terms related to the authority's operations, including how it can issue bonds and notes to fund its projects. Ultimately, the bill establishes a formal governmental structure to improve regional water and sewage management while leaving the decision to participate in the system to individual municipalities and districts.

Maddy summaryThis law updates Tennessee's building codes to explicitly include three-family and four-family dwellings in residential safety standards. It prevents the state fire marshal from requiring automatic fire sprinklers in these smaller buildings if they already meet specific fire-resistance standards for walls and floors. However, it allows local governments to choose to require sprinklers in these structures through their own ordinances if they wish. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to buildings under 5,000 square feet that satisfy the existing fire separation criteria.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits businesses with beer permits in Tennessee from selling cold or refrigerated beer at retail locations. The change applies to any store or vendor holding a specific beer license, effectively banning the sale of chilled beer regardless of other existing rules. By amending state alcohol codes, the bill ensures that only room-temperature beer can be sold under these permits. The legislation took effect immediately upon being signed into law by the Governor.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee law requires school employees to report any student request for gender-affirming accommodations, such as using a preferred name or pronoun, to both a school administrator and the student's parent. It also prohibits staff from knowingly providing false or misleading information to parents about a student's gender identity or plans to transition. If a school fails to follow these rules, parents and the state attorney general can file a lawsuit to enforce compliance, with courts authorized to award damages and legal fees to the winning party. The legislation defines "gender identity" according to the DSM-5 and applies to all public and charter schools in the state.