Sen. Richard Briggs

Maddy summarySB 370 requires payment networks (like Visa or Mastercard) to exclude state and local taxes (such as sales tax, hotel tax, or alcohol tax) from the transaction amount used to calculate interchange fees for credit and debit card payments. This means merchants pay lower processing fees on taxable items when customers pay by card. Payment networks must either deduct the tax amount at settlement or provide a proportional rebate to merchants. The law applies to all Tennessee businesses accepting card payments and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 307 allows larger Tennessee local governments (with 100,000+ residents per the 2020 census and centralized purchasing with a full-time agent) to choose any construction project delivery method they prefer for building projects or additions. It specifically permits using methods like design-build or construction manager at-risk instead of traditional "design-bid-build" processes. The bill requires these governments to still follow all applicable purchasing laws while selecting the most effective approach for their needs. This directly affects counties, cities, and other large local entities managing public construction projects.

Maddy summarySB 309 changes the deadline for Tennessee's Alcoholic Beverage Commission to submit its annual report. Specifically, it moves the filing date from March 1 to February 15 each year. This affects the commission's executive director, who must now submit a report on rules created during the previous year to legislative committees earlier. The bill is procedural, only adjusting a reporting deadline without altering regulations or policies.

Maddy summarySB 137, a proposed Tennessee bill, would allow local governments (like county councils or city commissions) to approve new development projects without holding public comment sessions. It applies when the project meets most zoning requirements that were already reviewed by the public. The bill would override existing rules requiring public input (Section 8-44-112) for projects deemed substantially compliant with previously published zoning maps or regulations. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn on February 3, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 176 extends the deadline for law enforcement officers to file written statements about seized illicit alcohol from 5 to 10 days after taking possession. This change applies directly to officers handling cases involving illegal intoxicating liquors. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57, Section 57-9-104, by updating the filing timeframe. It is a procedural adjustment with no direct impact on businesses or consumers, solely affecting law enforcement reporting procedures.

Maddy summarySB 183 would regulate for-profit advisors who assist veterans with benefits claims by requiring written agreements that payment is contingent only on a successful benefits increase (capped at five times the monthly increase) and banning upfront or nonrefundable fees. It mandates clear disclosures informing veterans that free services are available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Tennessee’s veterans services, and that the advisor is not affiliated with those agencies. The bill also prohibits advisors from guaranteeing specific outcomes, using veterans’ personal login credentials, or processing sensitive data via international call centers without background checks for staff. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act.

Maddy summarySB 47 requires tourism development authorities in Tennessee to submit their annual reports and audits to both the municipality that authorized them and every state legislator representing that municipality. This change, effective upon enactment, updates existing filing requirements by expanding who receives these documents while allowing electronic submissions. The bill directly affects local tourism authorities and their state legislative representatives, aiming to increase transparency in how tourism funds are managed and reported. It does not alter tourism policies or funding but modifies administrative reporting procedures.

Maddy summaryThis law requires TennCare to cover rapid whole genome sequencing for children under 21 who are critically ill in an intensive care unit with an undiagnosed condition. The test, which analyzes a patient's entire genetic code to find disease-causing changes, must return preliminary results within seven days and final results within fifteen days. Coverage is only approved when specific clinical criteria are met, such as symptoms suggesting multiple genetic causes or severe issues like refractory seizures and abnormal heart function. The legislation also establishes rules for how the resulting genetic data can be used for treatment and research, provided proper consent is given.

Maddy summaryThis law requires Tennessee municipalities that collect hotel-motel taxes to submit annual reports detailing how the revenue is spent on tourism and development. The reports must be sent to the state comptroller and legislative committee chairs, who will use them to audit whether the funds were used correctly. If an audit finds that money was spent on non-tourism purposes, the municipality must repay the incorrect amount from its general funds within the next fiscal year. Additionally, the bill prevents these taxes from being used for general government spending and limits the total occupancy tax on hotels to eight percent starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis law removes specific exceptions from Tennessee's alcohol regulations, allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages in more counties than before. It achieves this by deleting language that previously restricted sales to certain areas and by removing lists of counties where sales were prohibited. The changes apply to all counties in the state, expanding where residents and businesses can legally sell alcohol.