Sen. Richard Briggs

Maddy summarySB 1981 modifies Tennessee's workers' compensation law to protect employees in medical disputes. It specifically waives an employer's or their workers' compensation carrier's right to recover attorney fees or claim a subrogation lien if the employer contested medical aspects of the injury (causation, permanency, or extent) using a medical opinion different from the employee's C-42 panel physician. This change directly affects employees who successfully recover from third parties after such disputes. The bill also increases certain benefit percentages from 66⅔% to 75% and clarifies permanent disability benefit rules, but the core provision focuses on preventing employers from recouping costs when they dispute medical evidence.

Maddy summarySB 550 amends Tennessee law to require the Senate Speaker to appoint one medical cannabis commission member as a substance abuse prevention specialist, selected from a list of three names provided by the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee. This change directly affects the medical cannabis commission composition and the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee, which must submit the candidate list. The appointment must occur on or after July 1, 2025, and replaces the previous requirement for this commission role. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 7, regarding commission membership criteria.

Maddy summarySB 2285 requires public school principals in Tennessee to remove a student named as the "respondent" in an order of protection from any shared classroom or school activity with the student named as the "petitioner" (the protected party) during the order's validity. The bill mandates that schools provide alternative instruction for the removed student during this period. It applies only to public schools where both students are enrolled and covers all school-sponsored activities shared between them. The law does not require removal from the entire school, only from settings where the two students would interact, and takes effect for orders issued on or after its enactment date.

Maddy summarySB 2275 designates November 9 each year as "Gold Star Father's Day" in Tennessee to honor fathers who lost children while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill specifically recognizes these fathers' sacrifice without creating new legal benefits or changing existing laws, as it explicitly states this observance is "not a legal holiday." It aligns with similar designations adopted by Georgia and Mississippi, and follows the 2015 Gold Star Father's Act that ensured benefit parity for fathers. The bill directly affects fathers of fallen military members by adding a ceremonial day of recognition to Tennessee's calendar.

Maddy summarySB 2273 amends Tennessee law to require real estate buyers who assign their purchase contracts (wholesalers) to provide sellers with at least five business days' notice before an assignment becomes effective. This increases the minimum notice period from three to five business days, directly affecting real estate buyers engaged in wholesaling and the sellers they work with. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66, Section 66-4-403(a)(1)(B), to extend the notice requirement for assignments of a buyer's interest. The change provides sellers with additional time to review assignment details before the transaction finalizes.

Maddy summarySB 2279 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to publish all inspection criteria used for pain management clinics on its website, making compliance standards transparent for clinics. It mandates that the department publicly share the criteria for identifying "high-risk" prescribers (based on patient overdose rates) and remove such designations after prescribers complete required training. The bill also exempts pain management specialists from the high-risk prescriber list and allows them to temporarily cover for medical directors without counting toward the four-clinic limit for medical directors. These changes directly affect pain management clinics, prescribers, and pain management specialists by clarifying regulatory expectations and providing pathways to address high-risk designations.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution honors JoRissah Wright, a student at Central High School, for being named the 2026 Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley Youth of the Year. The bill formally commends her achievements and acknowledges her six-year membership in the Boys & Girls Club, which provides a safe environment for youth development. By passing this resolution, the Tennessee legislature recognizes Wright's leadership, service, and academic excellence as an example of positive community impact. The document serves as an official record of appreciation and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends John "Jack" Bulmer for his exemplary service as a legislative intern for Senator Richard Briggs during the 2026 session. The bill recognizes Bulmer's contributions to the Senator's office, the Senate State and Local Government Committee, and the General Assembly as a whole. It highlights his academic achievements at the University of Tennessee and his active participation in campus life and student government. The resolution also notes his personal dedication, including his support for the University of Tennessee Volunteers and his role in providing meals to colleagues. Ultimately, the measure expresses the Senate's appreciation for Bulmer's work and wishes him future success.

Maddy summarySB 2280 allows Tennessee's District Attorneys General Conference to cover software licensing fees for district attorney offices across judicial districts, regardless of whether the staff member using the software is funded by the state or another entity. This bill removes a previous restriction requiring staff positions to be state-funded for such software fees to be paid from conference funds. The change directly affects all district attorney offices in Tennessee by simplifying funding for necessary software applications. It amends Tennessee Code Sections in Titles 8, 9, 16, and 40 to implement this funding mechanism. The bill focuses on administrative efficiency without altering substantive legal procedures.

Maddy summarySB 1843, the "Nitrous Oxide Abuse Prevention and Retail Sale Prohibition Act," bans vape shop retailers from selling nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) in Tennessee. The bill specifically prohibits vape shops - defined as businesses selling electronic smoking devices or related products - from offering nitrous oxide for retail sale, with penalties starting at $500 per violation for first offenses and escalating to license suspension or revocation for repeat violations. Manufacturers who facilitate these sales face $10,000 fines per product. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting vape shop operators and their compliance with retail sales restrictions.