Rep. Rick Eldridge

Maddy summaryHB 157 updates Tennessee law by changing the term "adult day care" to "adult day services" across multiple sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated. It amends specific statutes in Titles 4, 39, 52, 68, and 71 - covering areas like program regulations, licensing, and service definitions - to standardize terminology. This is a technical correction with no impact on program requirements, eligibility, or funding. The bill became law on March 28, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 357 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Kathy Jones-Terry, the retiring Hamblen County Chancery and Probate Court Clerk and Master, for her 30-year public service. It formally recognizes her achievements, including her work modernizing court operations and leadership in state court clerks' associations. The resolution, passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor, expresses the General Assembly's appreciation but does not create any new laws or policy changes. It directly affects only Kathy Jones-Terry, providing a formal public tribute to her career.

Maddy summaryHJR 60 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Will Sliger as the 2025 President of Tennessee REALTORS. It honors his professional leadership, community service, and advocacy within Tennessee's real estate industry. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, expressing the General Assembly's appreciation for his contributions. It was passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 131 clarifies that Tennessee's law voiding wagering contracts does not apply to sports betting transactions under the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act. This bill directly affects sports betting operators and customers by ensuring their contracts are legally enforceable, removing a potential barrier to the industry. The key provision amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 29, 38, 39, 47, 49, and 67) to explicitly exclude sports gaming contracts from the voiding provision. The change is a technical clarification to align existing law with the state's sports gaming framework, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 158 creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for individuals who knowingly approach within 25 feet of a first responder (including police, firefighters, EMTs, or corrections officers) after receiving a verbal warning, if they intend to impede the responder’s duties, threaten physical harm, or harass them. The bill defines "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress through a course of conduct with no legitimate purpose. It directly affects people who target first responders during official duties, such as during emergency calls or patrols. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to any situation where a verbal warning was given before the approach.

Maddy summaryThis bill rewrites the city charter for Morristown, Tennessee, replacing the previous legal framework that had been in place since 1903. The new charter establishes the city's structure by defining its powers to own property and manage public utilities like water and electricity, while also setting up a city council composed of a mayor and six elected members serving four-year terms. By substituting the entire old text with a new version, the legislation updates the foundational rules governing how the city operates and how its officials are selected. This change directly affects the city government and its residents by formalizing the current administrative setup into a single, comprehensive legal document.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the amount of land eligible for property tax exemptions under Tennessee's Agricultural, Forest, and Open Space Land Act from 1,500 acres to 5,000 acres per taxing jurisdiction. The change directly affects landowners who wish to qualify their property for reduced taxes by designating it for agricultural, forestry, or open space use. By raising the acreage limit, the law allows more land to be included in these exemption categories starting with tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. The legislation modifies specific sections of the state code to reflect this higher threshold without altering other aspects of the tax program.