Sen. Bobby Harshbarger

Maddy summarySB 353 increases the percentage of Tennessee general assembly candidates and their campaign committees subject to audit by the Registry of Election Finance from 4% to 5%. The bill changes the law to require audits for a larger share of candidates, specifically amending election finance statutes in Titles 2, 3, and 8 of the Tennessee Code. This policy change directly affects all state legislative candidates and their committees by raising the likelihood of an audit for their campaign finances. The bill does not alter campaign contribution limits or other financial rules, only the audit selection rate.

Maddy summarySB 301 amends Tennessee law to allow firefighters with a rank equal to or higher than shift commander to continue working beyond the standard retirement age of 62. The bill changes the existing retirement provision to specifically include these senior firefighters, rather than only permitting chief officers to delay retirement. This policy change directly affects eligible firefighters in this rank category, enabling them to remain employed past age 62. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 356 requires all Tennessee state agencies to electronically submit employee performance evaluations to the state Human Resources Commissioner, replacing previous reporting methods. This bill directly affects every state department and agency that manages employee evaluations. The key change modifies existing law to mandate electronic reporting (instead of other forms of reporting) for these evaluations. The bill aims to modernize how performance data is collected and shared within state government operations. It does not create new evaluation standards but changes the reporting process for existing evaluations.