Rep. Tim Rudd

Maddy summaryHB 1857 requires all Tennessee public schools and charter schools to designate one instructional day each school year for K-12 students to learn about the founding of the United States. The bill mandates age-appropriate lessons on the Fourth of July, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and American civic principles - such as basic freedoms for younger grades, historical context for middle school, and analysis of founding documents for high school. Schools must ensure this teaching is nonpartisan, aligned with state academic standards, and focuses solely on historical facts and civic principles. The requirement would begin for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1743 amends Tennessee election law to allow county election commissions to notify petitioners of defects in recall, referendum, or initiative petitions. This change directly affects individuals or groups who file these petitions by giving them the opportunity to correct errors - such as missing signatures or incomplete information - before their petition is rejected. The bill adds a specific provision to the code requiring commissions to inform filers of defects, rather than automatically discarding incomplete petitions. The amendment does not mandate corrections or extend deadlines but provides a procedural option for petitioners to fix issues.

Maddy summaryHB 1668 creates a new criminal offense in Tennessee for knowingly traveling with intent to steal cash from businesses or financial institutions while following another person's path without deviating and carrying two or more "criminal instruments" (tools designed for theft, like lockpicks). It directly affects individuals who plan cash thefts by mirroring others' routes while possessing multiple theft tools. Violations start as a Class A misdemeanor, but escalate to a Class D felony if the person also violates other theft laws (Chapter 13, Part 10) or a Class B felony if they violate firearm laws (Chapter 13, Part 4). The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1671 prohibits Tennessee local governments from moving homeless individuals to another jurisdiction without the receiving area's written consent (§7-51-2801) and bans using public funds for such relocations without verified housing/services in the new area (§7-51-2802). The bill authorizes Tennessee's attorney general to seek $10,000 civil penalties per violation and lets affected jurisdictions sue for damages or court orders to stop violations (§7-51-2803). It directly affects cities and counties managing homeless services and homeless individuals relocated between areas. The law amends specific Tennessee Code sections related to local government operations and homeless services.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Joint Resolution formally honors the members of the 196th Field Artillery Brigade Embedded Training Team for their service in Afghanistan from July 2005 through July 2006. The bill recognizes the soldiers and their families for their contributions during Operation Enduring Freedom and expresses gratitude for their dedication to the mission.

Maddy summaryHB 1705 requires all Tennessee state and local government employers (including counties, cities, school districts, and public agencies) to verify new hires' work authorization using the federal E-Verify program starting July 1, 2026. Employers must maintain verification records and cannot hire without this check. The Attorney General can enforce compliance by withholding state funds (such as grants or shared taxes) from local governments that fail to comply. This bill directly affects public-sector employers and creates a financial penalty for non-compliance, without altering federal immigration law.

Maddy summaryHB 1669 shortens the deadline for Tennessee political parties to submit their rules or amendments to election officials. Instead of filing within 30 days after adopting rules, parties must now submit within 15 days to the secretary of state and election coordinator. This change directly affects all political parties operating in Tennessee that adopt new rules or amendments. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, Section 2-1-114, updating the filing timeline for election-related party documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Tennessee. It recognizes the importance of motorcycle safety through legislative acknowledgment rather than creating new laws or regulations. The resolution highlights existing safety programs and organizations that work to reduce traffic crashes involving motorcycles. It serves as a commemorative measure to promote awareness of safe riding practices among Tennessee residents and visitors.

Maddy summaryHB 1698 requires executive branch employees (such as state agency staff or governors' liaisons) to swear under penalty of perjury when testifying before legislative committees or submitting documents for fiscal analysis. It mandates that employees provide sworn affidavits confirming the accuracy of written materials used to evaluate bills or create fiscal notes. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to legislative procedures (Titles 3, 4, 29, 39, and 40) to enforce these requirements. Violations, such as submitting false information under oath, could lead to perjury charges under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 1670 clarifies that property tax notifications about changes in property classification or value can be sent via email by assessors, effective when electronically sent. It directly affects property taxpayers who receive these notifications and assessors who issue them. The bill amends Tennessee law to allow email as a valid alternative to U.S. mail for these notifications, while maintaining mail as the default method. Previously, mail notifications were only effective when mailed; this change explicitly states email notifications are effective upon sending. The bill does not require email use but provides it as a permitted method.