Sen. Steve Southerland

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally honors Allison Petterson, a high school student from Erwin, Tennessee, for her achievement in the National FFA Nursery-Landscape Career Development Event. The resolution recognizes her eighth-place national finish and the Gold Emblem she earned alongside her teammates for their skills in plant identification, propagation, and landscape design. It serves as a commemorative acknowledgment of her success and the broader role of FFA in developing future agricultural leaders in Tennessee. No new laws or funding are created; the measure simply expresses official state appreciation for her accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally honors the Foster Grandparent Program of Greene County on its sixtieth anniversary. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a ceremonial recognition of the organization's six decades of volunteer service to children and families. The resolution acknowledges the program's role in connecting older adults with youth through mentorship and notes the standards and support provided to its volunteers. Ultimately, the measure results in a commendation from the Tennessee General Assembly rather than any substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a joint resolution that honors the Greeneville Emergency and Rescue Squad for its 75th anniversary. It does not change any laws or create new policies but serves to formally recognize the volunteer organization's long history of providing emergency care and rescue services in Greene County. The resolution acknowledges the squad's contributions to public safety since its founding in 1950 and expresses appreciation for its members' dedication to saving lives. Once signed by the Governor, the document will be presented to the rescue squad as a commemorative gesture of state recognition.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution honors Kalli Crowder of Cocke County 4-H for achieving top honors at the Dixie Tennessee Valley Poultry Show. The measure formally recognizes her specific accomplishments, including winning Best of Variety and Best of Breed, while highlighting the agricultural skills she developed through her project. It serves as a public commendation of her dedication to animal husbandry and does not alter any laws or policies. The document is a ceremonial acknowledgment intended to celebrate her success and encourage future participation in youth agricultural programs.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution formally recognizes Laney Rogers, a Tennessee student who competed in the National FFA Nursery-Landscape Career Development Event. The bill acknowledges her achievements, including placing eighth in the national competition and second in individual applications. It authorizes officials to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to her as a commemorative honor.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally honors Kelly Bales for receiving the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. It recognizes her specific contributions as a co-leader of a Girl Scout troop in Gatlinburg and celebrates her dedication to community service. The resolution does not change any laws or policies; instead, it serves as an official commendation from the Tennessee legislature.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill honors Dr. Alan Corley for receiving the 2026 Good Scout Award from Scouting America. The resolution recognizes his long-standing leadership in Greeneville and his contributions to youth development through Scouting. It specifically highlights his past achievements, such as organizing a conservation camporee and funding a Pinewood Derby racetrack for local scouts. The measure formally commends Dr. Corley for his community service and integrity, serving as a public acknowledgment of his efforts rather than changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution honors Lyra Bales for receiving the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award in Tennessee. It recognizes her volunteer service as a Girl Scout Senior, specifically highlighting her project focused on bat education and habitat preservation. The resolution directs that a copy of the document be presented to Bales upon request.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to align Unicoi County's mineral severance tax rates with state law by establishing a schedule of increasing taxes on sand, gravel, sandstone, chert, and limestone extracted within the county. The tax rates would start at 15 cents per ton for periods before July 2025 and gradually increase to 30 cents per ton for periods beginning in 2035 or later, applying to all production regardless of where the materials are sold. A key provision requires that the bill receive a two-thirds vote from the Unicoi County Commission before it can take effect, giving local officials direct control over whether the tax changes are implemented. The tax applies to minerals in their natural or unprocessed state at the time they are extracted from the ground and creates a lien on the property from which the minerals are removed.

Maddy summarySB 2602 increases the annual honey production threshold requiring food manufacturing and inspection compliance from 150 gallons to 835 gallons in Tennessee. This change directly affects small honey producers who previously had to meet regulatory requirements at the lower 150-gallon level. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 44, Chapter 15 and Title 53) to adjust this threshold, exempting more small-scale producers from state inspection requirements.