Sen. Bobby Harshbarger

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 283) is a ceremonial honor recognizing the Dobyns-Bennett High School Band in Kingsport, Tennessee, for its 100th anniversary. It formally acknowledges the band's century of musical excellence, community impact, and national achievements - including performances at the Rose Parade, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and multiple national awards - without creating any new laws or altering funding. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Tennessee Senate on February 5, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2036, the "Stabilizing Healthcare Access with Reimbursement Protections (SHARP) Act," requires most Tennessee health insurance companies to annually increase in-network reimbursement rates and annual benefit maximums for individual and group plans by at least the previous year's inflation rate (CPI-U), capped at 4%. It directly affects health insurers and in-network healthcare providers, excluding ERISA-covered plans, small plans (under 100 enrollees), Medicare Advantage, and TennCare. Insurers must file compliance documentation with the Insurance Commissioner by April 1 each year, with the commissioner prioritizing enforcement in areas with provider shortages. Optional catch-up adjustments for frozen rates (5+ years) are allowed up to 20%, with special consideration for rural and small providers.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 264) formally honors Appalachian Miles for Smiles, a nonprofit organization providing free healthcare services to underserved communities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. It recognizes the organization’s work operating mobile clinics that deliver dental, vision, mammogram, and women’s health services - providing approximately 21,000 people with $10 million in care since 2016. The resolution has no policy or funding impact; it is purely ceremonial, expressing the Tennessee Senate’s appreciation for the group’s community service. It was unanimously adopted by the Senate on February 2, 2026, and signed by the Senate Speaker.

Maddy summarySB 782 extends the deadline for Tennessee property assessors to determine if a property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster, changing the timeframe from 35 to 40 days. This adjustment directly affects property owners in disaster-affected areas who need this determination to qualify for direct payments from the state comptroller. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Section 67-5-701(d)(1), to implement this extension, effective from January 28, 2025, through April 15, 2025. The change provides additional time for assessors to complete this process without altering eligibility requirements.

Maddy summarySB 357 requires utility district board commissioners in Tennessee to serve without pay, with limited exceptions allowing per diem payments for up to 12 meetings per year at $500 maximum per meeting. This applies directly to commissioners serving on utility district boards across the state, not just Sullivan County. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 2, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 66, and 67) to implement this compensation rule. The law became effective on July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on May 2, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1332 amends Tennessee education law to regulate "released time courses" (outside-school religious or moral instruction) by requiring background checks for instructors and entities running these programs. It directly affects independent religious instruction providers, school districts (LEAs), and students attending such courses. Key provisions mandate that all instructors undergo Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) background checks, with results shared with schools; schools must then review these checks and notify parents if an instructor has a conviction for offenses listed in state law. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and aims to ensure safety by prohibiting unvetted individuals from having proximity to students during these courses.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 445) is a ceremonial honor recognizing the Colonial Heights Athletic Commission (CHAC) of Kingsport, Tennessee. It formally praises CHAC’s leadership, volunteers, and parents for providing youth sports programs (baseball, basketball, flag football, volleyball) that build character, teamwork, and community among local young athletes. The resolution has no binding effect - it does not create new laws, fund programs, or change policies - but serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Tennessee General Assembly. It was signed by both legislative chambers and the governor in May 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 437) formally commends Wendy Doran, a Sullivan County 911 dispatcher, for her lifesaving actions on December 19, 2024, when she guided a father to clear water from his unresponsive infant’s airway using real-time video via the Rapid Deploy technology. The resolution, passed by Tennessee’s General Assembly and signed by the Governor, recognizes her quick thinking and empathy during a medical emergency that saved the infant’s life. It serves as a public honor from the state government and does not create new laws or policies affecting any group.

Maddy summarySJR 460 is a symbolic resolution honoring the John Adams Elementary School Destination Imagination team for winning first place at the 2025 Tennessee State Tournament. It specifically recognizes seven fourth- and fifth-grade students who built a machine for an engineering challenge without adult assistance, qualifying them for the Global Finals in Kansas City. The resolution expresses the Tennessee General Assembly's commendation for their achievement and serves as a formal expression of pride, with no legal or policy impact.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 438 is a commemorative resolution honoring Chief Dale Phipps of the Kingsport Police Department for his 37 years of service, including his tenure as Chief of Police (appointed in March 2021). The resolution, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor on May 1, 2025, expresses the state's appreciation for his career progression - from patrol to SWAT to leadership - and his dedication to public safety and community service. It does not create legal obligations or policy changes, as it is purely an expression of recognition for his retirement.