Rep. Renea Jones

Maddy summaryHB 2614 deletes an outdated requirement from Tennessee law that previously forced state agencies with motor vehicle fleets larger than 10 vehicles to create and implement plans to reduce gasoline and diesel use by January 2015. The bill removes Section 4-22-101 of Tennessee Code, which was no longer in effect or relevant. This change directly affects state agencies that manage vehicle fleets but has no ongoing policy impact, as the requirement was obsolete. The legislation is procedural, simply removing an outdated legal provision without creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Tennessee schools serving grades three through twelve to implement an annual evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program aimed at reducing tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use among students. The program must include drug prevention education that teaches refusal skills and life skills training, be offered throughout the school year, and supplement rather than replace existing drug education and character education requirements. Local education agencies and public charter schools are directly responsible for selecting and carrying out these programs starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1443, the "Caring for Caregivers Act," creates a pilot program to provide financial grants to family caregivers of Tennessee residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. The program, running from 2026 to 2029, offers up to $6,000 annually per caregiver to cover eligible expenses like home modifications for safety, medical equipment, and respite care. To qualify, caregivers must have an adjusted income below the state median (adjusted for family size), and the person they care for must live in a private home while needing help with at least two daily living activities. Grants prioritize very low-income households and are funded through state appropriations and donations.

Maddy summaryHB 2146 would allow juvenile court judges in Tennessee to suspend a student’s driving privileges or deny a driver’s license for up to one year if the student is found unruly for unlawful school absences. This applies specifically to students aged 16+ who face juvenile court proceedings for truancy and are adjudicated as unruly under Tennessee law. The bill amends three sections of state code (TCA Title 37, Title 49, and Title 55) to authorize this penalty as part of a juvenile court disposition. The measure is pending in the Education Committee and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 2411 integrates Tennessee's TennCare bureau into the Statewide Planning and Policy Council by adding the director of long-term care services and a managed care organization representative to the council's membership. The bill expands the council's role to advise both the department and TennCare leadership on programs, funding, and TennCare waiver implementation. These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 52-5-601 and 52-5-602 to formally include TennCare within the council's advisory structure. The bill affects how TennCare operations are coordinated with state health planning efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 2148 clarifies that Tennessee's tenure protections and dismissal procedures for school staff do not apply to educators holding temporary academic or clinical permits. It amends state law to explicitly exclude these temporary permit holders from the legal definition of "teacher" in Title 49, specifically in sections covering tenure and dismissal processes. This change directly affects educators working under temporary permits, ensuring they are not subject to standard tenure rules or dismissal procedures applicable to fully licensed staff. The bill focuses solely on defining scope within existing law, with no new programs or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2147 creates a new Class C misdemeanor offense for knowingly operating an unmanned aircraft (drone) over school property in Tennessee. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-903 to add this specific prohibition as a new subdivision (a)(7), making it a separate violation from other criminal offenses. This law directly affects drone operators, including hobbyists and commercial users, who fly near schools. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and classifies this violation as a Class C misdemeanor (typically punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine).

Maddy summaryThis bill would adjust the mineral severance tax rate in Unicoi County to match specific amounts set by state law, affecting businesses that extract sand, gravel, sandstone, chert, or limestone in the area. The tax rates would increase gradually over time, starting at 15 cents per ton before July 2025 and rising to 30 cents per ton by July 2035. The law clarifies that the tax applies when minerals are removed from the ground and excludes materials used for agricultural purposes or other minerals already taxed under different state provisions. Importantly, the bill includes a provision requiring approval by a two-thirds vote of the Unicoi County Commission before the tax changes take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1672 modifies how Tennessee local governments issue certain debt instruments. It allows local governments to issue notes maturing beyond the fiscal year if the comptroller approves them for economic distress caused by a natural disaster (with FEMA certification) or after demonstrating such distress. For grant anticipation notes used to fund public works projects before receiving state/federal grant money, the bill requires comptroller approval before issuance and mandates these notes be secured by the expected grant funds. Local governments may add extra security (like general obligations), but proceeds from other debt (e.g., capital outlay notes) cannot be used to pay for these grant anticipation notes.

Maddy summaryHB 2149 removes an expired pilot program from Tennessee law that previously required the state Department of Education to improve parent-teacher engagement in kindergarten through second grade at select public schools. The bill deletes Section 49-6-308 of Tennessee Code Annotated, which had established this specific program. This change affects only the Department of Education’s administrative structure, as the program was already inactive. The bill makes no new policy changes but formally eliminates a redundant legal reference.