Sen. Becky Massey

Maddy summarySJR 810 is a ceremonial resolution honoring James "Jim" Moore Hart, a Knoxville broadcaster and nonprofit leader who served as WBIR general manager and led Friends of the Smokies. The resolution commemorates his career in media, his work preserving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and his dedication to East Tennessee. It was unanimously adopted by the Tennessee Senate (32-0) and House (93-0) in early 2026. As a memorial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely expresses the General Assembly's respect for Hart's legacy.

Maddy summarySB 942 creates the Tennessee Board of Professional Sign Language Interpreters to establish licensing requirements for sign language interpreters in the state. The bill directly affects deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing Tennesseans who rely on interpreters for communication access, as well as interpreters themselves. Key provisions include defining terms like "licensed interpreter," requiring the board to set rules for licensing, suspending licenses, and professional conduct standards, and mandating that board members include representation from the deaf community and licensed interpreters. The board will operate under the Department of Health and develop rules to ensure interpreter quality and accessibility services.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors the memory of Martha Carolyn Swanson Sundquist, the former First Lady of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003, and expresses condolences to her family. The resolution recognizes her contributions to public service, including her work on wildflower beautification projects and the naming of the Martha Sundquist State Forest in her honor. It formally acknowledges her legacy of integrity and compassion while offering sympathy to her surviving children, grandchildren, and relatives. The document serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 2357 creates the Tennessee Council for Research of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing Children, a 17-member body to study needs and improve services for these children. The council, appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, includes members with lived experience, family advocacy, and expertise in education, audiology, and ASL instruction. Its key duties include identifying demographic data (race, zip code, age) of affected children, recommending specialized language assessment tools, and proposing accessible evaluation practices compliant with federal disability law. The council must submit a final report with recommendations to inform future policy, though it will dissolve after completing this task.

Maddy summarySJR 809 is a resolution recognizing March 16-17, 2026, as "AARP Tennessee Day on the Hill." It honors AARP Tennessee's advocacy and services for the state's senior population, including its 670,000+ members aged 50 and older. The resolution highlights AARP Tennessee's work in areas like caregiving support, fraud protection, and creating age-friendly communities, without implementing any new laws or requirements. This symbolic recognition aims to acknowledge the organization's contributions to seniors' health, financial security, and community engagement in Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 1625 allows personal delivery devices (like delivery robots) to operate on bicycle paths, shoulders, parking lots, and areas adjacent to roadways across Tennessee, overriding local government bans. It removes local authority to prohibit these devices entirely, instead permitting only safety-related regulations that align with state rules. The bill sets a 20 mph speed limit for such devices and grants them pedestrian or bicyclist rights depending on where they operate. This directly affects delivery companies and local governments, standardizing rules statewide starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 876 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Revolutionary War veterans buried within or near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, including specific individuals like Henry Bohanan, William Hamby, and Martha Dandridge Washington. It encourages Tennesseans to acknowledge these veterans' contributions as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of their historical significance to the state and nation. It was introduced in 2026 and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally honors the Halls High School Unified Cheerleading Team for winning the 2025 TSSAA Unified Cheerleading Varsity Game Day State Championship. The resolution recognizes the team's historic achievement as the first Unified Cheerleading State Champions at the high school level in Tennessee and acknowledges the dedication of the student athletes and their coach. It serves as a ceremonial commendation rather than a policy change, with no new laws or regulations being enacted. The document is intended to be presented to the team as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for their accomplishments and sportsmanship.

Maddy summarySJR 656 is a commemorative resolution honoring Dr. Yoo Keun "Tom" Kim, a Knoxville physician and founder of the Kim Health Center and three free clinics serving over 16,000 low-income patients in East Tennessee. The resolution recognizes his life, including his escape from the Korean War, establishment of free medical clinics, and dedication to compassionate care for underserved communities. It does not create new laws or affect policies but formally commemorates his legacy and extends condolences to his family. The resolution was unanimously passed by the Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives in 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 655 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Wade Davies, the 2025-2026 President of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (TACDL). It formally commends his 30+ years of criminal defense work, leadership in the TACDL (Tennessee's oldest criminal defense bar association), and professional achievements, including his role as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses legislative recognition of Davies' service to the legal profession. It passed unanimously in both chambers and is now awaiting the Governor's signature.