Rep. Justin Jones

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution commemorates the 150th anniversary of the 1876 Colored National Convention held at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The text acknowledges the historical significance of the gathering, which focused on civil rights, voting rights, and economic opportunities during the Reconstruction era. It directs the preparation of a formal copy of the resolution for presentation to honor this milestone in Tennessee history.

Maddy summaryHB 1851 designates the bog turtle (*Glyptemys muhlenbergii*) as Tennessee's second official state reptile, replacing the previous single designation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 4-1-321 to list both the eastern box turtle and the bog turtle as official state reptiles. This change affects state symbolism and public recognition, with no new regulations or funding. The bill focuses on raising awareness about the bog turtle, which is listed as federally threatened and faces severe habitat loss in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHJR 840 is a commemorative resolution honoring Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a nurse and Minneapolis resident killed by ICE agents on January 24, 2026, while legally recording their actions. The resolution memorializes his life, noting his background as a Green Bay native, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs nurse, and community member, and describes the circumstances of his death as shown in video evidence. It does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the Tennessee General Assembly’s sympathy to his family and extends condolences for his loss. This is a purely ceremonial resolution with no direct policy impact or affected parties beyond the commemoration.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors the memory of Reverend Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Jr., a prominent civil rights leader who played a key role in the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions to nonviolent activism, including his work organizing the Nashville sit-ins, founding the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and participating in the Freedom Rides and Selma voting rights campaigns. It expresses the state's gratitude for his life of courage and dedication to justice, and extends condolences to his family. The measure is a commemorative resolution that does not create new laws or policies but serves to acknowledge his legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes and honors Pam Weston of Sweetwater, Tennessee, for her lifetime of dedicated service to the community and state. It acknowledges her contributions as an educator, advocate, and community leader, highlighting her work in education, healthcare, the arts, and local politics. The resolution serves as a public commendation rather than establishing new laws or policies, and it does not allocate funds or change existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of Philippine-American Friendship Day and recognizes the enduring partnership between the Philippines and the United States. The measure extends appreciation to the Filipino community in Tennessee for its contributions to the state's civic, cultural, and economic life. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the historical and ongoing diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally recognizes and commends the Nashville Humane Association for its eightieth anniversary. The resolution honors the organization's long history of animal welfare work, including its founding in 1887 and its current role in providing adoption services, medical care, and community support for pets in Nashville and Davidson County. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies; instead, it serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the association's contributions to animal health and welfare over the past 80 years.

Maddy summaryHB 1999, the "No Corporate Land Giveaways Act," requires Tennessee state agencies to provide 30 days' written notice to relevant legislators before transferring public land to private entities for development. It directly affects state agencies like the commissioner of general services and private developers seeking public property. The key mechanism mandates that the joint government operations committee must approve such transfers within 30 days, or the transfer is automatically denied. This bill does not ban land transfers but creates a formal review process for private development projects involving state-owned property. The bill is currently pending in the State & Local Government Committee as of February 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1442, titled the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to remove masks or face coverings during public interactions while on duty, except for N95 masks used to prevent disease transmission or smoke masks during natural disasters. It also mandates that officers visibly display their name or badge number at all times during public interactions. Violating these requirements would be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and the law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers operating within Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 1039 is a symbolic resolution honoring Tennessee's fifteen African-American-owned Century Farms - farms operated by the same family for 100+ years. It recognizes these farms as historical symbols of resilience against racial discrimination in agriculture, acknowledging their role in the state's cultural and economic heritage. The resolution does not create new laws or provide funding; it serves as a formal legislative expression of appreciation for these families' contributions. This is a non-binding gesture passed unanimously by the Tennessee House of Representatives in March 2026.