Rep. Mike Sparks

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 66), not a policy bill. It honors Douglas L. Atkin, a deceased public servant and community member from Smyrna, Tennessee, who served his community in various capacities. The resolution recognizes his life, including his work as a musician, church founding member, devoted family man, and his service to Tennessee. It has no policy provisions or direct impact on legislation or affected groups - its sole purpose is to formally memorialize his contributions. The resolution passed unanimously in the Tennessee House on March 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 84 lowers the minimum age requirement for obtaining an initial school bus driver endorsement in Tennessee from 25 to 21 years old. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 55-50-302(d) and 55-50-302 to change the age requirement and removes an existing subsection. This directly affects individuals seeking to become school bus drivers who are currently 21-24 years old. The policy change takes effect on July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter other licensing requirements or safety standards for school bus drivers.

Maddy summaryHB 71 allows assistant district attorneys in Tennessee to count prior full-time law enforcement service as equivalent service time toward their employment record. Specifically, it permits them to receive year-for-year credit for certified police officer experience (requiring POST certification) if recommended by their hiring district attorney and approved by the district attorneys conference executive director. To qualify, they must provide an official employment record from their previous law enforcement agency. The bill amends state law governing assistant district attorney service credit, directly affecting current and future assistant district attorneys who previously worked as certified law enforcement officers.

Maddy summaryHJR 124 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Fire Chief William Culbertson, Jr., upon his retirement from the Smyrna Fire Department after over 30 years of service. It recognizes his career milestones, including becoming the department's first full-time employee in 1989, expanding the department to serve over 57,000 residents, and leading community initiatives like youth programs and fire prevention efforts. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is a symbolic tribute to his service, family legacy in firefighting, and contributions to Smyrna's safety and community events.

Maddy summaryHJR 126 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Bill and Trish Nash for their decades of community service in Rutherford County. It recognizes Bill Nash's dental practice (1972-2011) and Trish Nash's volunteer work with organizations like Meals on Wheels, the Sam Davis Home, and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. The resolution formally commends their dedication to public service, including their roles as community leaders and long-term members of the Moose Club. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create legal obligations or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHJR 125 is a joint resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to formally honor Charles Robert Jones for his lifetime of service to his community and the State of Tennessee. The resolution recognizes his contributions as a businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, highlighting his work in education, community development, and historic preservation. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial tribute, with a copy to be presented to Mr. Jones as a formal gesture of appreciation. The resolution was signed by the Governor on February 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1114 moves the deadline for Tennessee's Commission on Children and Youth to submit its annual budget recommendations from September 1 to October 1 each year. This change affects the commission, the governor, legislative finance committees, the legislative budget offices, and state departments that receive these recommendations. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to juvenile services to reflect this new timeline. It is a procedural adjustment to the commission's reporting schedule with no change to the content or funding of the recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 914 requires all Tennessee school districts and public charter schools to review any new family life education curricula recommended by the state's joint task force on children's justice and child sexual abuse before each school year begins. The bill amends Tennessee law (Titles 39 and 49) to mandate this annual review process, ensuring schools evaluate new materials prior to implementation. It directly affects school administrators and curriculum developers by adding a pre-school-year review step for approved curricula. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 146 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to establish a process for local school districts (LEAs) to submit real-time enrollment data, enabling continuous adjustment of education funding throughout the school year. It revises infrastructure stipend criteria to base payments on a 2% annual student enrollment growth threshold and classroom space needs, and mandates that state funding for charter school students must be distributed no later than the date LEAs pay charter schools. The bill directly affects school districts, charter schools, and state education funding mechanisms by changing how allocations are calculated and delivered. These changes apply to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, as outlined in amended sections of Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49.

Maddy summaryHB 68 changes a Tennessee law requiring the state Department of Education to notify local schools about mental health grants. Specifically, it moves the deadline for this notification from October 15 to October 1 each year. This affects all local education agencies (LEAs) in Tennessee that receive state or federal grants to expand school-based mental health services. The bill directly alters the timing of this notification, giving schools earlier access to funding information. The change is procedural and affects only the administrative timeline for grant distribution.