Rep. Aftyn Behn

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors the sixteen workers who died in a catastrophic explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems facility in McEwen on October 10, 2025. The bill formally recognizes the individuals by name and extends condolences to their families and the communities of Humphreys and Hickman counties. It also acknowledges the state safety agency's findings that the deaths were preventable due to numerous workplace violations. The resolution serves as a commemorative measure to remember the victims and their contributions to their families and communities.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors Bill McCabe on the occasion of his eightieth birthday. It formally recognizes his career as an environmental justice leader in Tennessee and southern Appalachia without altering any existing laws or policies. The measure directs the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to Mr. McCabe.

Maddy summaryHB 2007, the "End the Grocery Tax Act," eliminates the sales tax on groceries and food ingredients for consumers in Tennessee. It directly affects grocery shoppers and retailers by removing tax from food purchases, effective July 1, 2026. Key provisions include amending tax codes to exempt food from sales tax (Section 2), adjusting how state revenue is allocated (removing a 0.5% education funding requirement in Section 3), and updating definitions to reflect the exemption (Sections 5-7, 10-11). The bill ensures local governments receive equivalent funding based on previously exempt sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally recognizes March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility in Tennessee. It honors the contributions, resilience, and dignity of transgender Tennesseans and acknowledges the historical and ongoing challenges they face. The resolution does not change laws or create new policies; it serves as a symbolic statement of recognition and support for the transgender community within the state.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Resolution honors Stephanie Ann Wagner on her sixtieth birthday by formally recognizing her as an outstanding citizen of Tennessee. The resolution acknowledges her personal achievements, including her athletic background, education, career at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and her long-term commitment to her family and community. It directs the House to prepare and present a copy of the resolution to Wagner as a gesture of appreciation, though the final clause is omitted from the official copy given to her.

Maddy summaryHB 2525, the "Pot for Potholes Act," proposes to establish Tennessee's first regulatory system for marijuana, governing cultivation, processing, and retail sales under the Department of Agriculture. The bill sets specific rules, including requiring child-resistant, opaque, and resealable packaging for products, defining "adult" as 21+ years old, and clarifying terms like "edible marijuana products." It would directly affect businesses seeking licenses to operate in the marijuana industry - such as growers, processors, and retailers - by creating licensing requirements and operational standards. The bill also includes provisions for funding product safety measures and minor protections, aiming to align Tennessee with states that have legalized marijuana regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2340 encourages Tennessee municipalities to study housing affordability and inventory by requiring them to: (1) conduct a detailed housing stock inventory, (2) assess current/future housing needs based on demographics and income gaps, and (3) create a pre-approved "pattern book" of medium-density housing designs. This pattern book would include standardized floor plans, building layouts, and streamlined permit processes for "missing middle" housing - mid-sized developments between single-family homes and large apartment buildings (under 12 units). The bill directly affects local governments and developers by aiming to make housing construction more efficient and affordable within existing neighborhoods. It does not mandate adoption but provides a framework for communities to address housing shortages through planning. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Maddy summaryHB 298, the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act," prohibits business entities from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in Tennessee counties with populations exceeding 150,000 (based on 2020 census data) for rental purposes. It defines "single-family home" as detached, semi-detached, or townhomes with no shared utilities, and applies to corporations, LLCs, or investment groups (excluding government entities). The bill allows the state attorney general or affected individuals to sue violators for up to $100 per day per home, plus damages, attorney fees, or punitive penalties. It takes effect for new rental contracts signed after enactment, aiming to limit large-scale rental acquisitions in densely populated areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2523, the "Maternal Health Care Protection Act," would prevent healthcare providers, institutions, and payers in Tennessee from refusing pregnancy-related care based on conscience objections. It bars providers from declining to perform or pay for services within their professional scope - such as emergency care, prenatal treatment, or standard obstetric care - and stops institutions from creating policies that deny such care. The bill specifically targets exemptions under the Medical Ethics Defense Act, ensuring patients cannot be denied essential pregnancy-related services due to personal beliefs. The bill is currently pending before the Population Health Subcommittee.

Maddy summaryHB 2524 creates new criminal offenses for employers who systematically evade federal employment verification (like I-9 forms) or exploit unauthorized workers. It defines "systematic unauthorized employment" as repeated failures to verify worker eligibility, misclassify employees as independent contractors, or knowingly use subcontractors employing unauthorized workers, making it a Class E felony. Employers found liable must pay restitution covering unpaid wages (based on FLSA or state minimum wage), taxes, benefits, and damages, plus fines of $50,000-$500,000 for businesses. The law directly affects Tennessee employers, particularly general contractors and businesses with patterns of evasion, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-13-301 and 39-13-317.