Sen. London Lamar

Maddy summarySB 405, the "CEO Pay Disparity Tax Act," would impose an additional 0.1% tax on companies in Tennessee where the top executive earns at least 100 times more than the company's median employee pay. This surcharge applies to the standard 6.5% excise tax on business net earnings, targeting businesses operating in Tennessee with extreme pay gaps. The tax would take effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2025, and requires the state department to create implementing rules. It directly affects Tennessee-based corporations meeting the pay disparity threshold, without changing existing tax rates for other businesses.

Maddy summarySB 1993 prohibits landlords, property managers, or others serving eviction paperwork from sharing real-time videos of the eviction process without the tenant's written permission. It directly affects property owners and their agents who might film or broadcast eviction notices, while excluding law enforcement officers acting in their official duties. The law creates a private right to sue for violations, with a minimum $25,000 penalty per intentional breach, plus actual damages and legal fees. This protects tenants from unauthorized public exposure during eviction proceedings, focusing on consent and financial recourse.

Maddy summarySB 1996 increases the monthly office expense allowance for Tennessee General Assembly members from $1,250 to $2,251, effective November 3, 2026. It directly affects legislators by raising their base allowance for office-related costs. The bill requires this allowance to be automatically adjusted each month based on changes to the consumer price index (CPI) to maintain purchasing power. This amendment modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Section 3-1-106(f)(1). The change is a procedural budget adjustment, not a substantive policy shift.

Maddy summarySB 1997 would allow Tennessee state senators with at least eight consecutive years of service and representatives with at least ten consecutive years to collect petition signatures from registered voters outside their specific legislative district, but only within the county where their district is located. This change directly affects long-serving members of the Tennessee General Assembly seeking re-election. The bill modifies election rules by expanding where they can gather required signatures for nomination petitions, moving beyond the current requirement to collect signatures solely within their district. The proposal does not alter voting eligibility or district boundaries but adjusts the signature collection process for eligible candidates.

Maddy summarySB 1994 prohibits Tennessee state agencies and local governments (counties, cities, or metropolitan governments) from entering new contracts or renewing existing contracts for private prison services. It directly affects private companies currently providing correctional services for inmates under the Tennessee Department of Correction or local government custody. The bill amends Tennessee law to ban all new or renewed contracts for these specific correctional services after the bill's effective date. This is a direct policy change banning future private prison contracts within the state's correctional system.

Maddy summarySB 1769 prohibits Tennessee utilities from raising rates for customers aged 65 or older who verify their age through a process established by the Tennessee Public Utilities Commission (TPUC). It requires the TPUC to create an age verification and notification system by rule, with utilities then informing eligible customers about the rate cap within 90 days of the rule's finalization. The law applies to electric, water, wastewater, and natural gas services and takes effect January 1, 2027. Utilities failing to comply face sanctions ordered by the TPUC.

Maddy summarySB 961, the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act," allows Tennessee local governments to adopt rent control ordinances for private residential properties after conducting housing supply assessments and establishing local rent agencies. It creates the "Increased Housing Program" administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), which provides gap financing to developers building affordable housing and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers for owner-occupied homes. The program prioritizes communities affected by recent federally declared disasters and requires annual reporting on program outcomes. This bill directly affects renters, landlords, and developers in localities that adopt rent control, while expanding state-level support for affordable housing construction and homebuying.

Maddy summarySB 960 requires Tennessee county election commissions to include three non-binding questions about marijuana policy on the November 2026 ballot: legalizing medical marijuana, decriminalizing small possession, and legalizing recreational sales. The questions would be voted on by voters as advisory input, not binding law. The secretary of state must compile and publish the results online, then forward them to all state legislators. This bill directly affects voters in all Tennessee counties participating in the 2026 election and provides lawmakers with public sentiment data on marijuana policy. It does not change existing law but seeks to gather advisory voter input for future legislative consideration.

Maddy summarySB 962 requires local governments to mandate site assessments before approving new locations for facilities using 100 megawatts or more of electricity (like large data centers). Applicants must submit assessments examining noise impacts on homes and schools within 500 feet, while electric utilities must detail new power infrastructure needed for the facility. These assessments help localities evaluate projects against zoning laws, noise ordinances, and comprehensive plans. The rule applies only to new facilities, not expansions of existing sites that add under 100 MW.

Maddy summarySB 2289, the "Federal Enforcement Accountability and Community Protection Act," requires Tennessee state and local law enforcement to notify the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) within 24 hours of any federal enforcement action resulting in death or serious injury ("critical incident"). The TBI must then conduct an independent review assessing foreseeability, de-escalation, and state resource involvement, publishing findings publicly within 90 days. The bill prohibits state agencies from providing non-emergency resources to federal agencies during such incidents until the review is complete, while allowing emergency assistance or legally required cooperation. It also explicitly protects bystanders from detention or questioning solely for being present, observing, or traveling near enforcement actions.