Sen. Steve Southerland

Maddy summarySB 2604 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to update and include specific safety guidelines for drivers during traffic stops in driver education programs, driver improvement courses, and the official driver license manual. The guidelines mandate actions like pulling over safely, turning off the engine, keeping hands visible, remaining calm, and complying with officer instructions during encounters. By July 2027, driver education programs must teach these guidelines, and by October 2027, driver's license exams must include questions about laws for displaying documents during stops. The bill also requires the Department of Safety to promote these guidelines publicly through its website and license renewal materials.

Maddy summarySB 2605 amends Tennessee law to extend the temporary validity period for service release inspections from 45 days to nine months, affecting vehicle owners and mechanics requiring these inspections. The bill specifically changes Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 102, Section 68-102-143(e)(1), to reflect this longer timeframe. This change simplifies compliance for those needing to complete follow-up work after an initial inspection. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Tennessee's agricultural support program for hay farmers. Instead of reimbursing farmers for purchasing round hay baling machines through cost-share grants, the Department of Agriculture will directly buy and distribute 100 machines by October 2026. After that date, eligible farmers can request a free machine instead of applying for a reimbursement grant, but they become ineligible for future grants in the hay equipment program for a period calculated by dividing the machine's cost by $12,000. The policy directly affects farmers participating in Tennessee's agricultural enhancement program who use hay equipment.

Maddy summarySB 2607 requires Tennessee county medical examiners to report sudden unexpected infant deaths (under 1 year) and sudden deaths in young people (under 20) to a federal CDC registry. Medical examiners must review the deceased child’s immunization and medical records during autopsies and document recent vaccinations. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 for repeated failures to report cases and allows licensing boards to sanction medical examiners who repeatedly violate the requirement. It directly affects county medical examiners and healthcare providers involved in death investigations, aiming to improve data collection for public health research.

Maddy summarySB 2595 changes the election date for Hamblen County's county attorney from July to September, requiring the county commission to hold the election annually at its September meeting. It also shifts responsibility for reviewing the attorney's compensation and expense reimbursements from the finance committee to the county legislative body, with claims needing itemized certification under standard financial policies. The bill requires a two-thirds vote of Hamblen County's legislative body for approval before taking effect. This directly affects how Hamblen County hires, pays, and oversees its county attorney under local governance.

Maddy summarySB 981 authorizes Hamblen County to participate in a convenience voting center pilot program. The bill amends Tennessee election law to establish a population requirement (64,400-64,500 residents per the 2020 census or later) for counties eligible to join the pilot. This change specifically applies to Hamblen County, which meets the population threshold, and does not affect voting rules in other areas.

Maddy summarySJR 513 is a joint resolution honoring Ellieonna Stetson, a North Greene Middle School student, for winning third place in Baileyton's Veterans Memorial sign design contest. The resolution recognizes her achievement among 147 student entries and applauds her creativity in designing a sign for the veterans memorial. It directly affects Stetson by publicly commending her civic engagement and artistic contribution to honoring veterans. The resolution has been fully enacted, signed by both legislative chambers and the Governor.

Maddy summarySJR 509 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Tracy Solomon of Greeneville, a U.S. Navy veteran and owner of TEVET (a veteran-owned small business). It formally congratulates him for winning the "Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year" award from the U.S. Small Business Administration's Tennessee District Office. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely recognizes his business achievements and community contributions through symbolic acknowledgment by the Tennessee General Assembly. It was passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor in May 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 519) commends Ava Kelly, a Walters State Community College student majoring in hospitality business, for winning first place in the poetry category of Tennessee Mosaic, an annual anthology published by Phi Theta Kappa (the international honor society for community college students). The resolution was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor on May 7, 2025, to recognize her literary achievement. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policies but formally honors an individual's academic and creative accomplishment.

Maddy summarySJR 515 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Lily Brake, a North Greene Middle School student, for winning first place in the Baileyton Veterans Memorial sign design contest. The resolution commends her for creating a design featuring an American flag, eagle silhouette, and national anthem lyrics, which was selected from 147 entries. This symbolic recognition celebrates her civic engagement and artistic contribution to honoring veterans, with no policy changes or direct impact beyond the honor itself.