Sen. Tom Hatcher

Maddy summarySB 2537 extends the deadline for Tennessee property taxpayers to apply for tax relief from 35 to 45 days after taxes become overdue. This change directly affects homeowners and property owners who qualify for property tax relief but haven't yet submitted an application. The bill amends Tennessee law (TCA Title 67) to give eligible taxpayers an additional 10 days to file for a refund or credit voucher. The policy change is a straightforward deadline extension with no other provisions or requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2528 expands the Ocoee River recreation and economic development fund's allowed uses to include tourism promotion, infrastructure upgrades, and other board-approved expenses. It replaces the park manager position on the fund's board with the director of the division of state parks, effective July 1, 2026. The bill also reduces the maximum number of commercial permits for river operations from 24 to 12 after July 1, 2026, and restricts permit transfers to immediate family or business purchasers only. These changes directly affect commercial operators, local tourism efforts, and the governance of the Ocoee River management zone.

Maddy summarySB 1602 increases penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident. If an accident causes injury, the penalty rises from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. If the driver knew or should have known death resulted, the penalty increases from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. This bill directly affects drivers involved in accidents where they fail to stop, amending Tennessee law to impose stricter criminal penalties for these actions. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1592 creates automatic processes to prevent budget deadlocks affecting Tennessee municipalities and their local school districts (LEAs). If a city council and school board fail to agree on a school budget by August 31, the LEA receives minimum state-mandated school funding - plus a 3% mandatory increase after three consecutive years of disagreement. For general municipal operations, if a city council misses the fiscal year budget deadline, the previous year’s budget continues with strict spending limits (capped at prior-year monthly allotments) until a new budget is adopted, extendable only for up to three months with state comptroller approval. The bill directly affects all Tennessee cities with school districts and their governing bodies, ensuring basic services continue during budget disputes.

Maddy summarySB 2531 creates a state family advisory board within Tennessee's Department of Correction. The board, composed of nine family members of currently incarcerated individuals (appointed equally by the governor, Senate Speaker, and House Speaker), aims to improve communication between correctional facilities and families. Key provisions require the board to meet monthly, hold three annual public meetings across Tennessee's regions, and provide feedback on department activities to support family reunification and successful reentry. This bill directly affects families of incarcerated individuals by establishing a formal channel for their input on correctional programs. The board will operate without pay but receive travel reimbursement for official duties, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2004 changes Tennessee's emergency response law to allow government agencies that provide emergency aid to other agencies to request additional time for submitting a detailed invoice of costs. Currently, agencies must send the invoice within 60 days after emergency assistance ends, but this bill permits them to ask for more time due to unusual circumstances. It directly affects counties, cities, and state agencies that respond to emergency requests from other governmental entities. The amendment applies to relevant sections of Tennessee law governing emergency aid and reimbursement procedures.

Maddy summarySB 1820 requires the Tennessee Department of Correction to study the costs of equipping correctional officers and prison contractor employees with body cameras at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility. The study must be completed and reported to legislative committee chairs by July 1, 2026. This bill does not mandate body cameras but directs a cost analysis to inform potential future policy decisions regarding equipment at this specific facility.

Maddy summarySB 1633 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentences aren't warranted and wouldn't harm justice. This applies to all cases with multiple minor victims, regardless of whether the offenses occurred together. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors and sentencing courts, changing how they handle sentencing for these cases. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115.

Maddy summarySB 2525 allows Tennessee high school students aged 15-19 to work in childcare centers outside school hours or through approved work-based learning programs, provided they've completed at least two courses in an education/training career cluster. The bill directly affects eligible students and childcare centers that can hire them under these conditions. It prohibits students from working in childcare centers located in a primary caregiver's home and requires the state department to create implementing rules. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2535 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to work with the Department of Safety to create guidelines for public schools and charter schools offering driver education courses. These guidelines must include safety driving tips, use of the Department of Safety's driver license manual for instruction, and lessons on the dangers of driving under the influence and distracted driving. The bill directly affects all local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools providing driver education. It mandates these specific content requirements to standardize safety education, effective July 1, 2026. The bill does not provide funding or change existing course requirements but sets new instructional standards.