Rep. John Gillespie

Maddy summaryHB 1484, the "Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act," requires Tennessee district attorneys to submit reports within 24 hours to state and federal officials whenever they take specific actions (like plea deals, charge reductions, or case dismissals) related to felony cases stemming from Operation Viper or the Memphis Safe Task Force. It directly affects district attorneys in judicial districts where these federal task forces operate. The bill mandates these reports be submitted to the Attorney General, legislative leaders, the District Attorneys General Conference, and the relevant U.S. Attorney. The key provision creates a standardized reporting mechanism to increase transparency around prosecutorial decisions involving these specific law enforcement initiatives. This is a procedural requirement focused on accountability, not on changing criminal penalties or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2318 revises Tennessee's process for state agencies to accept federal aid. It requires the Joint Committee on Ways and Means to review all federal aid applications and acceptances (previously only required for amounts over $25 million), including notifying the committee before accepting any federal funds. State agencies like the courts, treasury department, and executive departments must now follow this process for all aid amounts, though the committee can choose not to hold a hearing or must act within 30 days. The bill also clarifies annual/multi-year grant review requirements and updates terminology for consistency.

Maddy summaryHB 696 creates a statewide Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator position to improve coordination and support for local SARTs across Tennessee. The coordinator, employed by the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, will provide training, oversight, and technical assistance to ensure local teams follow best practices and access resources. The bill requires annual reports to the legislature on SART performance, gaps in services, and recommendations for improvement. Funding for the position will come from state grants to the coalition, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1444 increases penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals in Tennessee, raising the offense from a Class E to a Class D felony. It also adds this crime to the list of offenses that can lead to juveniles being classified as "serious youthful offenders" under state law. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of severe animal cruelty (including juveniles) and takes effect July 1, 2026. These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 39-14-212 (criminal penalties) and 37-1-131 (juvenile classification).

Maddy summaryHB 2563 changes the notice period required for the president of a district public defenders conference to call a meeting, extending it from 10 calendar days to 10 business days. This bill directly affects the president of each district public defenders conference, who must provide written notice to conference members before convening meetings. The key provision amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 8-14-204 and 9-4-101 to specify "business days" instead of calendar days for this notice requirement. The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is purely procedural with no new services or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 33 establishes a new rule for pretrial release in Tennessee: defendants charged with offenses involving firearm use/display or causing serious injury/death are presumed not to be released on their own promise to return to court (personal recognizance). This directly affects individuals facing these specific charges during initial court hearings. If a judge decides to override this presumption, they must provide written reasons for each factor considered in their decision. The bill amends Tennessee law to take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1449 redefines "drag racing" as "street drag racing" and expands the offense to include reckless driving for spectators and events on commercial property (like shopping centers or retail lots). It defines "drifting" as intentionally skidding a vehicle and broadens the term "participant" to cover organizers, promoters, and anyone facilitating street drag racing. The bill allows police to impound vehicles used in the offense or to flee (with the charged person paying fees) and authorizes vehicle forfeiture upon conviction. Additionally, reckless endangerment through street drag racing is now classified as a Class E felony.

Maddy summaryHB 1233 amends Tennessee bail bond law to allow professional bondsmen to provide and retain digital receipts for money or other consideration paid, instead of requiring only paper receipts. It directly affects bail bondsmen and their clients by updating the receipt requirements in Title 40, Chapter 11 of Tennessee Code. The key provision replaces "furnish a receipt" with "furnish a written or digital receipt" and modifies duplicate copy retention to include digital formats. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, modernizing administrative processes for bail bond transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 2225 creates a state-level "Do Not Call" registry that allows Tennessee residents to opt out of unsolicited telephone solicitations. It restricts automated calls (robocalls) and unsolicited sales calls, particularly during evening hours, and requires businesses to honor consumer opt-out requests. The Tennessee attorney general can enforce these rules, impose court-ordered fines for violations, and maintain the registry with input from federal systems. This directly affects consumers who receive unwanted calls and businesses making phone solicitations in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHB 2497 requires Tennessee state agencies responsible for healthcare facilities to study emergency mitigation strategies at the governor's direction. These studies must be incorporated into the state and local comprehensive emergency management plans. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (including Titles 58 and 64) to explicitly include "healthcare facilities" in emergency planning requirements alongside public works and land use. This change ensures healthcare facilities are specifically addressed in emergency preparedness efforts, directly affecting state agencies and local emergency management plans.