Rep. Kevin Vaughan

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for the Shelby County occupancy tax, which currently funds the local convention and visitors bureau. It changes the condition for ending the tax from the payoff of construction bonds to the departure of a National Basketball Association franchise from an indoor sports facility, with a final deadline of June 30, 2050. Additionally, the bill updates how tax money is split if the NBA team leaves, directing 61.25% to the visitors bureau and 38.75% to the county. Crucially, these changes only take effect if a two-thirds vote of the Shelby County legislative body approves them.

Maddy summaryHB 2341 prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 at private parties or events in Tennessee. It requires event owners or operators to provide proof they took reasonable steps to prevent underage service when requesting event approval. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 57-4-101 to establish this age restriction and documentation requirement. This directly affects private event hosts, venues, and organizers who serve alcohol at gatherings. The law aims to enforce minimum drinking age rules at unlicensed private events.

Maddy summaryHB 2385 clarifies that wastewater utility systems in Tennessee must provide a connection to property owners when the utility has a gravity sewer line *adjacent* to the property, not just when the line is physically on the property. This change directly affects property owners seeking sewer connections and the utility companies responsible for providing service. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 7-82-710(a)(1) and related chapters to update the language from "located on" to "located on or adjacent to" the property. The key mechanism is a simple wording correction to expand the requirement for utility connections. This is a procedural clarification, not a new policy or funding measure.

Maddy summaryHB 2381 requires public utilities to submit written requests to the Tennessee Public Utility Commission when seeking cost recovery for innovative natural gas infrastructure projects. This technical amendment updates existing law (TCA §65-5-114(c)) to replace previous allowances for oral requests with a written submission requirement. The bill directly affects utilities seeking to recover infrastructure costs through the Commission. It does not change cost recovery eligibility or rates, only the method for submitting requests.

Maddy summaryHB 794 changes the deadline for boards of public utilities appointed under Tennessee's Municipal Electric Plan Law of 1935 to elect a chair. It increases the timeframe from 10 calendar days to 10 business days after members are appointed. This bill directly affects municipal utility boards across Tennessee that operate under the specified state laws. The change simplifies scheduling by excluding weekends and holidays from the deadline calculation, making the process more practical for board members. (No substantive policy changes to utility services or rates are made.)

Maddy summaryHB 2386 allows Tennessee counties, municipalities, or metropolitan governments to require developers to pay for necessary offsite public infrastructure (such as roads, utilities, or stormwater systems) that serve future development beyond the project site. The bill establishes that costs must be based on the development’s proportional impact on infrastructure, with local governments having 60 days to approve agreements. If disagreements arise, the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation can determine the cost-sharing amount. This directly affects developers planning new construction projects and local governments managing infrastructure planning.

Maddy summaryHB 2382, the "Tennessee Reverse Mortgage Innovation Act," updates Tennessee's reverse mortgage regulations to modernize consumer protections and align with national practices. It requires lenders to verify borrowers received independent counseling from a department-approved counselor before closing, replacing prior references to Fannie Mae or HUD guidelines. The bill also prohibits cross-selling financial products (like annuities) as a condition of obtaining a reverse mortgage and clarifies that reverse mortgage loans are non-recourse. These changes directly affect senior homeowners seeking reverse mortgages and lenders offering such loans in Tennessee. The legislation aims to expand consumer choice while maintaining safeguards for vulnerable borrowers.

Maddy summaryHB 1932 amends Tennessee law to change the redemption period for properties sold at tax sales based on how long taxes were delinquent. If property taxes were delinquent for three years or less, owners have one year to reclaim the property after the sale. If delinquency exceeded three years, the redemption window shortens to 90 days. This change directly affects homeowners who fall behind on property taxes and face tax sales, applying to sales confirmed on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 475 would amend Tennessee's motor vehicle law to authorize the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance to create rules for automobile clubs and associations. This change would give the commissioner the legal authority to establish specific regulations governing these organizations, such as membership standards or service requirements. The bill does not specify the rules but provides the framework for the commissioner to develop them. It directly affects automobile clubs and associations operating in Tennessee by enabling potential state-level regulation of their activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1930 amends Tennessee law to require the Department of Commerce and Insurance to submit annual reports on health insurance coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and drug dependency by January 31 each year. Previously, the reports were due "each year thereafter" without a specific deadline, but this change establishes a fixed submission date. The bill directly affects the agency responsible for filing these reports and ensures the public receives timely data on coverage for these conditions. This adjustment standardizes the reporting timeline without altering the content or scope of the required information.