Sen. Becky Massey

Maddy summarySB 203 creates new specialty license plates in Tennessee, including a "Historic Franklin" plate, and extends existing specialty plate programs. It directs funds from the "Historic Franklin" plate sales to provide financial support for the Chester Inn State Historic Site. The bill also authorizes new motorcycle license plates specifically for paratroopers. These changes directly affect Tennessee drivers purchasing specialty plates, historic site funding, and military personnel participating in the paratrooper plate program.

Maddy summarySB 944 requires courts to order mental health evaluations for defendants convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, or aggravated cruelty to animals before sentencing. The evaluations must be conducted by community mental health centers or qualified professionals and are intended to inform sentencing decisions. This bill amends Tennessee law (Titles 33, 39, and 40) to establish this process, directly affecting individuals convicted of these specific offenses. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for the underlying crimes.

Maddy summarySB 324, known as "Savanna's Law," creates a public online registry maintained by Tennessee's Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for individuals convicted of two or more domestic violence offenses against the same victim. It requires courts to forward qualifying conviction details to the TBI within seven days, listing offenders' names, dates of birth, conviction dates, and counties - while excluding sensitive information like addresses or Social Security numbers. Offenders must pay a $150 registration fee ($50 to the court, $100 to the TBI), and names are removed from the registry after 2-10 years based on prior offenses. The law applies to offenses occurring on or after January 1, 2026, and aims to enhance public awareness of repeat domestic violence offenders.

Maddy summarySB 899 updates Tennessee school safety standards for windows in public and charter schools. It requires new or remodeled school buildings constructed or remodeled on or after July 1, 2025, to install either clear film or security glazing meeting the ASTM F3561 test standard on exterior entry points. Buildings remodeled before July 2025 must use clear entry-resistant film on exterior windows/doors. The state safety team must develop guidelines for compliance, which the state fire marshal will incorporate into official rules. The law became effective May 9, 2025, with the new window standards taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 322 amends Tennessee state law to grant eligible full-time state employees up to six workweeks of paid leave annually to care for a family member with a serious health condition. It directly affects Tennessee state employees who have worked full-time for at least 12 consecutive months, expanding existing leave options beyond childbirth or adoption. The bill requires 30 days' notice (or as soon as possible if less notice is available) and limits total paid leave to six workweeks within any 12-month period, which can be taken intermittently. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and aligns with federal Family and Medical Leave Act provisions for eligibility and coverage.

Maddy summarySB 703 requires Tennessee's TACIR (Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations) to study sustainable transportation funding sources to address declining gas tax revenue from fuel-efficient vehicles and rising infrastructure costs. The study must examine the state's road and bridge needs, identify long-term revenue options beyond current gas taxes, and analyze funding models from at least three other states. TACIR must submit its recommendations, including potential legislation, to key legislative committees by January 15, 2026, using existing resources. This bill directly affects TACIR and state agencies responsible for transportation funding, aiming to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summarySB 202 requires the Tennessee Department of Transportation to submit an annual report to legislative transportation committee chairs by January 1, 2026, detailing progress on high-priority bridge replacement projects. The bill directly affects the state transportation department and state legislators overseeing infrastructure funding. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 54 to establish this reporting requirement, with no changes to funding or naming conventions as the bill title suggests. The measure became law on May 2, 2025, and applies to bridge replacement projects funded under the existing high-priority program.

Maddy summarySB 448 removes a specific definition of "content harmful to minors" from Tennessee's Protect Tennessee Minors Act (TCA § 39-17-912(b)(5)). This change directly affects how the law interprets restrictions on online content targeting minors by eliminating that defined term. The bill amends the statute by deleting subsection (b)(5) in its entirety, which previously provided the definition. The law was enacted on May 8, 2025, and became effective May 13, 2025. This is a procedural adjustment to the statute's language, not a new policy.

Maddy summarySB 452 amends Tennessee law to allow funds in Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts to be used for non-education expenses, such as housing, transportation, or medical costs, rather than being restricted to education only. It directly affects Tennessee residents with disabilities who use ABLE accounts by aligning state definitions of "disability certification" and "eligible individual" with federal IRS rules. The bill removes the current restriction that ABLE account earnings could only cover education expenses and permits broader use of funds for daily living needs. This change takes effect in 2026 for most purposes, with immediate implementation for rulemaking.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors The Knoxville Barristers (the Young Lawyers Division of the Knoxville Bar Association) for receiving the 2025 John J. Duncan Sr. Award for Senior Advocacy. It recognizes their 25-year partnership delivering meals to homebound seniors in Knox County through Mobile Meals, which has completed over 40,000 individual deliveries. The resolution formally acknowledges their sustained volunteerism and community service to Knox County's aging population. As a non-binding recognition, it does not create new policies or affect any specific individuals or programs beyond the ceremonial acknowledgment.