Rep. Rusty Grills

Maddy summaryHB 808 allows Tennessee counties experiencing significant economic hardship to opt out of automatic pay raises for county officials. If the Department of Economic and Community Development determines a county faced high unemployment, low income, or widespread poverty in the prior year, the county’s legislative body can pass a resolution to forgo the standard compensation increase. Officials in such counties would then receive a higher minimum pay level when the economic distress ends (per DECD’s annual review) or after the next county election. This bill directly affects county governments and their elected officials, modifying how automatic pay adjustments apply during economic downturns.

Maddy summaryHB 798 requires Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation to post its existing catalog of materials about source reduction and recycling on the department's public website. This bill directly affects the Department of Environment and Conservation by mandating online accessibility of these resources. The key provision is a simple administrative change: making the catalog available online without altering the content or creating new programs. The bill amends several sections of Tennessee law to implement this specific website posting requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 eliminates most state requirements for parents homeschooling their children in Tennessee, directly affecting homeschooling parents and students. It removes the need for annual notice to school districts, prohibits state-mandated testing, and bans state regulation of homeschooling unless families join a state program or accept state funds. The bill requires only that parents provide a "normed curriculum" (a pre-approved educational plan) to their children, with no additional oversight or documentation demands from the state. Exceptions apply only if homeschoolers voluntarily participate in state programs with stricter requirements or receive state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 685 changes the annual expiration date for pesticide product registrations from June 30 to July 15 under Tennessee law. This technical amendment affects pesticide manufacturers and distributors who must renew their registrations with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The bill specifically updates TCA Title 43, Chapter 8, Section 104(a) to reflect the new July 15 deadline, providing a one-month extension for registration renewals. It does not alter pesticide regulations or create new requirements, only adjusting the administrative deadline. The change applies to all pesticide products covered by the referenced code sections.

Maddy summaryHB 807 removes a reporting requirement for the Tennessee comptroller regarding a pilot project that allowed municipal electric systems to provide services beyond their usual service areas. Specifically, it eliminates the mandate for the comptroller to submit an annual report to the General Assembly by January 31 with recommendations about continuing or expanding this pilot program. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code related to telecommunications but does not change the underlying pilot project rules or create new policies. This is a procedural change affecting only administrative reporting obligations, not the operations of municipal electric systems or the public.

Maddy summaryHB 806 would rename "handgun carry permits" to "firearm carry permits" across Tennessee law, allowing permit holders to carry any legally owned firearm - not just handguns - under their existing permit. It directly affects current permit holders, who would automatically have their permits deemed "enhanced firearm carry permits" starting July 2025 without needing reissuance. The bill amends 37 sections of Tennessee Code (including Title 39 on firearms and Title 40 on licensing) to replace "handgun" with "firearm" in all relevant references. This change clarifies that permits cover all legally possessed firearms, not just handguns, and applies to both new and existing permits.

Maddy summaryHB 800 would prohibit discrimination against students and employees in Tennessee's public schools and colleges based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status. It specifically requires that antisemitic discrimination be treated identically to racial discrimination, mandating that schools designate Title VI coordinators to investigate complaints and report unresolved incidents to federal agencies within 30 days. The bill clarifies that criticism of Israel alone is not antisemitic and ensures the law does not override free speech protections under the First Amendment. These provisions apply directly to all public K-12 schools and colleges receiving state or federal funding in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHB 2523 increases the monthly compensation for members of the Reelfoot Lake Regional Utility and Planning District board from $200 to $400. In addition to the higher salary, the bill allows board members to receive reimbursement for health and life insurance premiums up to the cost provided to district employees. These changes apply specifically to the utility district's governing board and are designed to align their benefits with those of regular district staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Tennessee laws regarding school violence to change the date by which a threat against a school employee must be reported. Specifically, it moves the reporting deadline from February 1 to January 15. The change applies to individuals who communicate threats concerning school employees and affects the relevant state code sections. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to allow sheriffs and constables in Tennessee to send certain notifications electronically instead of only by traditional mail. The change directly affects law enforcement officials who currently handle these notifications and the individuals receiving them. By updating the legal code, the measure provides an additional method for communication while maintaining the existing requirements for fee collection and other duties. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024.