Rep. Robert Stevens

Maddy summaryHB 2305 allows teacher training program candidates who have started but not finished required teaching practice to receive a temporary permit. It directly affects aspiring teachers enrolled in educator preparation programs (EPPs) who need to complete clinical practice hours. The bill's key provision lets these candidates combine their previously completed teaching hours with hours taught under the temporary permit to meet the full clinical practice requirement. This change modifies Tennessee's teaching credential rules in Title 49, Chapter 5 of state law. The bill aims to provide flexibility for teacher candidates during their training.

Maddy summaryHB 1967 would increase penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a traffic accident in Tennessee. For accidents causing injury, the penalty would rise from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. For accidents where death occurred and the driver knew or should have known, the penalty would increase from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1522 exempts active-duty military service members stationed outside Tennessee (not at a shared military reservation) from paying the additional registration fee for all-electric vehicles when renewing their vehicle registration. To qualify, the service member must provide official stationing orders to the county clerk at the time of renewal and have the vehicle titled in their name (alone or with a spouse/relative). The bill amends Tennessee’s vehicle registration laws (TCA §55-4-116 and §55-6-107) to create this exemption, which takes effect July 1, 2026. It directly affects military personnel stationed out-of-state who own all-electric vehicles registered in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes Rutherford County's highway management structure by repealing outdated laws and establishing a new County Highway Commission divided into seven Road Board Zones. Each zone will be represented by elected members serving staggered four-year terms, with elections scheduled for 2026 and 2028, and zone boundaries will align with existing county commission districts to ensure equal population representation. The bill also creates an elected County Highway Superintendent who will oversee road construction, maintenance, and drainage easements, while the County Mayor may attend commission meetings without voting rights.

Maddy summaryHB 2415 permits healthcare organizations' quality improvement committees to assess existing security measures at their facilities, specifically to ensure patient and staff safety. This bill amends Tennessee law (TCA Sections 68-11-272, 8, 38, 62, and 68) to add this security evaluation duty to committees' existing responsibilities. The change directly affects healthcare facilities (like hospitals and clinics) by expanding their quality committees' authority to review security protocols. It does not create new security requirements but allows committees to proactively examine current measures.

Maddy summaryHB 2103 amends Tennessee's STRONG Act to explicitly include Western Governors University (WGU) as an eligible institution for tuition reimbursement. This change directly affects active Tennessee National Guard members who use the STRONG Act's benefits, allowing them to receive tuition support at WGU for their first bachelor's or master's degree. The bill updates the legal definition of "educational institution" to add WGU under the existing competency-based model criteria (requiring a Tennessee physical presence, regional accreditation, and state-based oversight). It does not alter the program's academic requirements, credit limits, or grade point averages but expands access to WGU for eligible service members. The amendment specifically references WGU in the code, making it the first non-traditional institution added under this definition.

Maddy summaryHB 1887 creates a state licensure process for "prescribed pediatric extended care programs" (PPECs) in Tennessee, which provide nonresidential care to medically dependent or technologically dependent minors (under age 20) requiring ongoing, technology-based medical services (like ventilator support). The bill requires facilities operating these programs to obtain a license, limits care to 12 hours per day (not 24-hour care), and mandates that TennCare submit a federal Medicaid waiver request to cover services provided by licensed PPECs. It directly affects vulnerable minors with complex medical needs, their families, and PPEC operators seeking to provide these specialized services. The law amends Tennessee health, insurance, and social services codes to establish licensing standards, facility requirements, and oversight for these programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1997 expands Tennessee's sales tax exemption for aircraft repair services and parts to cover all aircraft types (including helicopters), not just large or transport category aircraft. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated §67-6-302 and related sections to replace "large aircraft" with "aircraft" and defines "aircraft" to explicitly include helicopters. This change directly benefits Tennessee-based repair companies performing work on all aircraft types that will be removed from the state after repair. The exemption applies to parts, equipment, and services used in repairing aircraft mainframes, engines, and accessories. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Tennessee's state board of education to waive the bachelor's degree requirement for educators who have at least five years of teaching experience at a church-related or approved private school. The waiver would permit these individuals to teach in public schools for up to three years, with the possibility of renewal. To qualify, applicants would need to provide verification of their teaching experience, demonstrate comparable instructional skills, complete professional development, and undergo background checks. The bill also requires annual performance evaluations by the school district for individuals holding this waiver. This change would directly affect educators with private or church school experience who lack traditional college degrees but have substantial teaching experience.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that honors the Eagleville High School softball team for winning the 2025 TSSAA Division I, Class A State Championship. It formally acknowledges the team's undefeated state tournament run and victory over Hollow Rock-Bruceton by a score of 8-1, while also recognizing the coaches and community supporters who contributed to their success. The resolution lists the names of the twenty-three players and four assistant coaches, and directs that a copy of the document be presented to the school upon request. This type of legislative action does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly recognize athletic achievement.