Rep. Chris Todd

Maddy summaryHB 2518 requires Tennessee's Department of General Services and Department of Environment and Conservation to submit annual reports on state recycling efforts to the General Assembly by December 31 each year. The bill amends specific sections of state law (TCA Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 68) to establish this reporting requirement. These reports will detail actions taken under existing recycling programs, providing transparency on state agency recycling activities. The bill does not change recycling practices or set new recycling targets, but mandates regular reporting to lawmakers.

Maddy summaryHB 890 allows Tennessee's state financial officer (comptroller of the treasury) to provide property tax relief cost and income limit estimates to lawmakers via electronic means, rather than traditional methods. This bill directly affects members of the Tennessee General Assembly, who receive these estimates to inform tax policy decisions. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 67-5-701 and related provisions to enable this electronic delivery process. The bill does not change tax rates, eligibility rules, or the substance of property tax relief programs - only the method for sharing required estimates. As a procedural change, it focuses on administrative efficiency in how data is shared with lawmakers.

Maddy summaryHB 1446 is a symbolic resolution, not a law with practical effects. It declares the Tennessee General Assembly's findings that Judea and Samaria (historically known as parts of the Land of Israel) are the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, citing biblical references and arguing that the term "West Bank" erases Jewish historical ties to the region. The bill makes no policy changes or legal obligations; it solely expresses the legislature's position through a series of historical and religious statements. This resolution directly affects no individuals or entities, as it serves only as a formal statement of opinion. It is a procedural, commemorative measure with no enforcement mechanism or impact on state or federal policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2517 restricts Tennessee's animal health commissioner from mandating tests or vaccinations for animals within the state or imported into the state, except for detecting or treating USDA-listed "notifiable" or "monitored" diseases. The bill defines "notifiable disease" as USDA-emergency or regulated diseases and "monitored disease" as USDA-endemic diseases, narrowing the commissioner's mandatory authority to these specific cases. However, it allows the commissioner to *recommend* tests or vaccinations for general animal health protection, maintaining flexibility for broader health guidance without enforcement power. This change directly affects how Tennessee enforces animal health regulations under Title 44 of the Tennessee Code.

Maddy summaryHB 2516 reduces the timeframe for notifying appointing authorities about vacancies on Tennessee's underground storage tanks and solid waste disposal control board from 90 to 45 days. This procedural bill directly affects the board members and the government bodies that appoint them, requiring quicker communication when a position becomes vacant. The change amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 68) related to solid waste management procedures. It does not alter waste disposal rules or environmental standards, only the administrative process for board vacancies.

Maddy summaryHB 2070, the "Tennessee Energy Freedom Act," protects fossil fuel industry activities by limiting legal liability for emissions. It prohibits lawsuits or penalties related to emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas operations (defined as "covered activities") unless the emissions violate federal environmental laws like the Clean Air Act. The bill restricts liability claims to "in-jurisdiction products" - meaning only emissions from fossil fuels actually shipped into Tennessee - and bars claims based on emissions from products sold outside the state. This directly affects fossil fuel companies operating in Tennessee and any entities seeking to hold them liable for emissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally commends regulated trapping as an effective tool for wildlife management and conservation in Tennessee. It highlights how trapping helps maintain balanced ecosystems, protects endangered species, and controls populations of overabundant animals that cause damage to habitats. The resolution also acknowledges the economic and ecological benefits provided by licensed trappers, including contributions to the state's economy and support for federal wildlife programs. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not change existing laws but instead recognizes the role of trapping in responsible natural resource stewardship.

Maddy summaryHB 886 changes Tennessee election law by shortening the time candidates have to remove campaign signs, posters, or placards after an election. It reduces the deadline from three weeks to two weeks post-election, directly affecting candidates and campaign organizations. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, Section 2-1-116, to reflect this two-week period. This is a concrete policy change to the existing timeline for campaign signage removal, with no other provisions or impacts described in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 2065 amends Tennessee's aggravated criminal trespass law to include disrupting a religious assembly within a building on property as a new qualifying condition. This change makes such disruption a Class A misdemeanor, the highest misdemeanor offense in Tennessee, directly affecting individuals who enter or remain on property without permission and interfere with religious services. The bill adds this specific provision to the existing criteria for aggravated trespass, which already covers causing fear, damaging barriers, or recklessly damaging property. It does not alter penalties for other trespass offenses but expands the definition to explicitly protect religious gatherings.

Maddy summaryHB 898 requires Tennessee utility systems that sell water containing fluoride to obtain a certificate of analysis for that fluoride and post both the certificate and the fluoride safety information online. This applies directly to public water utilities serving communities, mandating greater transparency about fluoride levels in drinking water. The bill specifies that this information must be available on the utility's website or the state utility board's website if the utility lacks one. The requirement becomes effective July 1, 2025, with no changes to fluoride concentration limits or safety standards.