Sen. Paul Rose

Maddy summarySB 2369 would allow Tennessee public schools and charter schools to offer approved hunter education courses to students in grades 5 through 12 as part of existing physical education, health, or safety classes. The courses must be approved by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, aligning with existing hunter education standards. This bill does not change the content of the hunter education curriculum but provides a mechanism for schools to integrate it into current class structures. It directly affects students in grades 5-12 and school districts that choose to implement the program.

Maddy summarySB 938 grants eligible Tennessee state employees six workweeks of mandatory paid leave when they become foster parents of a minor child. This applies to employees with at least 12 consecutive months of full-time state service, excluding certain boards/commissions. The leave must be used within 12 months of the foster placement and cannot exceed six weeks per 12-month period, even with multiple placements. The bill amends state law to explicitly include foster parenting under existing paid leave provisions, alongside birth and adoption leave.

Maddy summarySB 2373 amends Tennessee law to explicitly require county jailers to assess inmates' need for medical attention as part of their routine evaluations. This directly affects jailers and all individuals confined in county jails, ensuring medical needs are formally considered during care and classification. The key change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-4-103(b) to add "medical attention" to the list of purposes for which jailers may evaluate confined persons. The bill does not create new funding or penalties but clarifies existing authority to improve medical oversight in local detention facilities.

Maddy summarySB 2370 amends Tennessee law to increase penalties for vehicular homicide when a driver's speed was the direct cause. It defines "extreme and excessive rate of speed" as traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the posted limit. If this speed condition applies, vehicular homicide becomes a Class B felony (up from Class C). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects drivers convicted of speeding-related fatal accidents.

Maddy summarySB 2572 creates the "Tennessee Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund" to provide grants and loans for conservation projects. The fund will support counties, municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofit conservation groups for projects like improving parks/trails, restoring wetlands, protecting wildlife habitat, and enhancing public access to outdoor recreation areas. Monies in the fund can be carried forward annually (not lapsing) with strict limits: the board can spend no more than 1% of the fund on its operations, and the finance department no more than 3%. Projects must align with defined conservation values, such as water quality protection, habitat preservation, or military installation buffering. This bill directly affects local governments and conservation organizations seeking funding for outdoor resource management.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate Resolution (SR 316) honoring the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) West Tennessee Chapter for its 50th anniversary. It formally recognizes the organization's contributions to workforce development, economic growth, and community infrastructure projects in West Tennessee since 1976. The resolution, passed by the Tennessee Senate, has no legal effect but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the chapter's role in promoting safety, apprenticeship programs, and construction industry advocacy. It directly affects the ABC West Tennessee Chapter and its members by publicly celebrating their decades-long service.

Maddy summarySB 2439 urges Tennessee's comptroller of the treasury to study whether residential property taxes should be based on the most recent sale price instead of current assessment methods using manuals. If the study is conducted, the comptroller must report findings and recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee and the House committee overseeing finance. This bill does not change current tax law but requests an analysis of a potential shift in how property values are determined for residential properties. The study would specifically examine feasibility and impacts on property tax assessments across the state.

Maddy summarySJR 658 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Representative Debra Moody for her service in the Tennessee House of Representatives. It commends her for her 10-year tenure (across multiple General Assemblies), committee leadership roles, and community involvement in Tipton and Haywood counties. The resolution has no policy impact or legal effect - it is purely a formal expression of appreciation from the legislature. It was unanimously adopted by the Senate on February 12, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1857 would allow Tennessee public school districts and charter schools to integrate approved hunter education courses into physical education, health, or safety classes for students in grades 5 through 12. The courses must be certified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to meet state hunter safety standards. This amendment to Tennessee law (amending Titles 49 and 70) directly affects schools and students in grades 5-12 by expanding curriculum options with a focus on outdoor safety. The bill takes effect upon becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 2368 requires Tennessee's state treasurer to study how neighboring states use public funds for gender transition procedures, specifically examining restrictions they impose on such funding. The bill mandates compiling these findings into a report to be delivered to the Tennessee General Assembly by December 31, 2026. This is a purely informational study with no new funding restrictions or policy changes for Tennessee; it uses existing state resources and focuses solely on gathering data from other states. The bill does not alter current Tennessee funding practices or impose new requirements on residents.