Sen. Richard Briggs

Maddy summarySB 177 reallocates revenue from Tennessee's 2002 sales tax rate increase (from 6% to 7%) between local governments and the state. It directs 4.6% of the additional tax revenue to incorporated municipalities for their use, while 95.4% is allocated to the state general fund for state purposes. This change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-6-103 to adjust the distribution of funds from the tax increase. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not create new taxes or alter existing tax rates.

Maddy summarySB 368 removes a market value cap that previously limited property tax relief for disabled veterans in Tennessee. It requires the state to fully reimburse eligible disabled veterans for all local property taxes paid each year on their primary residence, instead of capping relief at a specific property value. This directly affects disabled veterans who own and live in their primary residence and qualify for property tax relief under Tennessee law. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2281 removes a regulatory requirement for nonresidential medication-based treatment centers treating opiate addiction in Tennessee. Specifically, it deletes provisions that currently mandate these centers obtain a state "certificate of need" to operate. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting opioid treatment providers that offer outpatient care using medications like methadone or buprenorphine. This policy simplifies the process for these facilities to establish or expand services without prior state approval.

Maddy summarySB 1841 clarifies that the criminal offense of "desecrating" a venerated object includes unauthorized removal of objects from burial sites. It specifically defines "desecrate" to cover removing items from burial places by anyone other than the deceased’s family or a cemetery’s authorized representative. This amendment to Tennessee law (affecting Titles 39 and 46) directly impacts individuals who disturb burial sites without proper authorization. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not create new offenses but refines existing definitions.

Maddy summarySJR 864 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Wesley Hazen Rucker, a Knoxville sports journalist who covered University of Tennessee athletics for over two decades. The resolution expresses condolences to his family and recognizes his contributions to sports journalism, including his work with the University of Tennessee, 247Sports, and WBIR-TV, as well as his community impact. It does not impose legal requirements or alter policies, serving solely as a formal expression of respect for his legacy.

Maddy summarySB 2270 increases the required notice period from two to three days for Tennessee county mayors to call emergency special sessions of their county legislative bodies. This procedural change affects county government operations by extending the advance notice requirement for such sessions. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 5-5-105(b)(1) and related provisions in Title 5 and Title 6.

Maddy summarySB 2164, the "Election Integrity Act of 2026," creates a process for candidates in local Tennessee elections (county, city, or school board races) to challenge election results if they believe administrative errors occurred. Candidates must file a written challenge with their county election commission within 10 business days of the election. The county commission investigates for 15 days, then sends evidence to the state commission, which decides within 21 days whether errors changed the outcome. If errors are confirmed and could alter results, the state commission orders a special election; otherwise, the election is certified. This process only affects the specific challenged election, not other races on the ballot.

Maddy summarySB 2282 invalidates homeowners' association (HOA) restrictions that block licensed family or group child care homes from operating on residential properties. It requires HOAs to enforce state licensing rules instead of their own covenants, and allows care providers to sue HOAs for violations (with actual damages plus up to $1,000 in punitive damages). The bill also prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to tenants operating licensed child care, though landlords may require notice, liability insurance, or restrictions on shared spaces. These changes apply to new HOA documents or rental agreements after the law takes effect. The bill directly affects licensed child care providers, HOAs, and landlords in Tennessee.

Maddy summarySJR 614 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Tennessee's General Assembly to direct the state lottery entity to develop and operate specific lottery games whose revenue is exclusively dedicated to funding veterans' services. This would amend Article XI, Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution to create a new, dedicated funding stream for veterans' programs, separate from current lottery revenue allocations. The amendment requires approval by the legislature and then by voters to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summarySB 624 would prohibit individuals from holding two elected offices in Tennessee at the same time if one is a local government position (like mayor or city council member) and the other is a state-elected office (like state senator). Current officeholders who already hold multiple positions may keep them until their current terms end. The law specifically excludes roles on a political party's state executive committee from this restriction. This bill changes state law to prevent dual officeholding for local and state elected positions, effective upon enactment.