Rep. Tim Hicks

Maddy summaryHB 1796 shortens the deadline for Tennessee counties to post revisions to their charters online, reducing the current three-month period to two months. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 5-1-127(b) to change the posting requirement from "three (3)" to "two (2)" months. It directly affects all Tennessee counties that maintain charters of incorporation. The change aims to expedite public access to local government documents without altering the underlying charter content or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1690 increases penalties for drivers who fail to maintain auto insurance in Tennessee. It raises the fee for the first insurance coverage failure from $25 to $500 and imposes a $1,500 fee for second or subsequent failures within three years, which may lead to registration suspension or revocation. The bill also prohibits lawsuits seeking non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) if a plaintiff was not insured at the time of an accident. These changes apply directly to vehicle owners who do not comply with Tennessee’s financial responsibility law.

Maddy summaryHB 1471 amends Tennessee law to change the definition of a "violent offender" for drug treatment court eligibility. It removes convictions for domestic assault (if not a felony) from being counted as a violent offense, instead requiring a felony conviction for certain acts within the previous 10 years. This change would allow more individuals with non-felony domestic assault convictions to qualify for drug treatment courts. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1720 would allow counties with fewer than 341,500 residents (per the 2020 census) to pass a resolution prohibiting municipalities or regional planning groups from controlling land use, development, or infrastructure rules outside city boundaries. If a county adopts such a resolution, any existing zoning plans or ordinances by cities or regional groups that extend beyond municipal limits would become unenforceable. The bill requires counties to pass this resolution via majority vote of their legislative body and allows for temporary agreements to handle ongoing projects. It does not apply to metropolitan counties or prevent counties and cities from making cooperative agreements for lawful purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 658 expands the scope of practice for athletic trainers in Tennessee by allowing them to treat conditions that limit or prevent participation in physical activities (not just injuries), directly affecting athletes and patients seeking preventive or rehabilitative care. The bill clarifies athletic trainers are healthcare providers and authorizes specific new procedures, including blood glucose monitoring, dry needling, and intravenous fluid administration. It amends licensing requirements to align with these expanded duties, requiring board certification and specific training for these new practices. The changes apply to all licensed athletic trainers practicing under physician supervision in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2130 creates a new pathway for graduates of ABET-accredited engineering technology programs to become registered engineers in Tennessee. To qualify, applicants must have at least eight years of supervised engineering experience, provide references from three licensed Tennessee engineers, and pass two national exams (fundamentals and principles/practice). The bill directly affects engineering technology graduates seeking licensure, expanding eligibility beyond traditional engineering degree holders. It modifies Tennessee's licensing rules to include this category of applicants, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1506 authorizes the executive director or an attorney employed by Tennessee's Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance to conduct training programs for bureau members and the Tennessee Ethics Commission. The bill amends two sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 2, Chapter 10, Part 2 and Title 3, Chapter 6, Part 1) to explicitly allow these training sessions. This is a procedural bill focused on internal agency capacity, not on changing campaign finance rules or affecting voters, candidates, or campaigns. It does not alter campaign contribution limits, disclosure requirements, or other substantive regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2409 amends Tennessee property tax law to change how mineral interests and similar property rights are assessed. It specifies that these interests (like mineral rights or leasehold improvements) are generally assessed to their owner, but adds two exceptions: 1) if a lessee has a "payments in lieu of taxes" agreement with state/local government (effective April 30, 2019 or later), or 2) if the lessee is part of a housing authority's affordable housing project under specific lease terms (entered after April 30, 2026). In these cases, the property is assessed solely to the governmental entity (like a housing authority), not the private owner. The bill directly affects mineral rights holders, property owners with lease agreements, and housing authorities managing affordable housing projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1470 prohibits developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems from advertising or representing to the public that their AI acts as a qualified mental health professional. This directly affects AI companies and developers creating mental health-related tools. Violations would be treated as deceptive acts under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and defines "artificial intelligence" as systems capable of human-like reasoning and learning.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors the memory of Hobart L. "Coach" Powell, Sr., a respected educator and coach from Jonesborough, Tennessee. The resolution recognizes his extensive career in sports coaching and school administration, highlighting his contributions to the Washington County School System and his induction into multiple sports halls of fame. It expresses the legislature's condolences to his family and acknowledges his legacy of integrity and dedication to public service. The document serves as an official tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies.