Sen. Ed Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the town charter for Sardis, Tennessee, to modernize its governing structure by removing outdated references to historical roles and requirements. It changes how local officials are compensated and set meeting schedules, allowing the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to establish these details through local ordinances rather than fixed state rules. The legislation also extends the terms of the mayor and aldermen from two to four years and adjusts residency requirements for voters living within the municipality. Additionally, it clarifies the authority of the Recorder and expands the board's power to manage municipal employees and set their salaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the role of the mayor of Lexington as the chief executive officer of the city and establishes the office as a full-time position. It authorizes the mayor to suspend employees for misconduct or dereliction of duty, with the right to appeal to the city board, and requires the mayor to serve as a voting member only in the event of a tie at board meetings. The bill also outlines the mayor's duties, including supervising city affairs, executing contracts, submitting annual budgets, and presiding over board meetings. Importantly, this legislation will only take effect if approved by a two-thirds vote of the Lexington city council, ensuring local control over the changes.

Maddy summarySB 2431 removes the requirement for a license from Tennessee's health facilities commission for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) services that are not used for diagnostic purposes. This change directly affects healthcare facilities offering these imaging services for non-diagnostic uses, such as research or patient comfort, rather than medical diagnosis. The bill amends Tennessee Code to exclude non-diagnostic MRI and PET from licensing requirements under health facility regulations. The exemption will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2589 reconstitutes Tennessee's Arts Commission by replacing its current structure with a new 15-member board. It changes how members are appointed: the governor selects one member from each of Tennessee's nine congressional districts, while the Senate and House speakers each appoint one member from each of the state's three regions (East, Middle, and West). Initial appointments have staggered terms (three, four, or five years) to spread out expiration dates, with future appointments set to five years. Commission members receive no salary but are reimbursed for travel expenses under standard state regulations. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1513 extends the existence of Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS) until June 30, 2029, instead of allowing it to sunset earlier. It requires DCS to report to the Government Operations Committee by December 31, 2026, on its progress addressing issues identified in a December 2025 performance audit. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 37, Chapter 5) to implement these changes. This directly affects DCS operations and its accountability to the specified legislative committee, with no immediate changes to child welfare services or public eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 1728 prohibits local governments in Tennessee from charging fees, fines, or costs against the owner of a shopping cart found on public property - such as sidewalks or streets - unless the cart was specifically removed from a retail store's premises or parking area by the owner or their employee. This directly affects retail businesses and customers who might otherwise face penalties for carts left in public spaces. The law amends Tennessee Code Sections 5-1-101 and 6-54-101 to block local ordinances that impose such fees, ensuring carts left unattended in public areas cannot be penalized. It takes effect July 1, 2026, applying only to actions after that date.

Maddy summarySB 1915 requires all Tennessee local governments (counties, cities, and towns) to verify that applicants over 18 for public benefits are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the U.S. This applies to state, local, and health department programs administering benefits. The bill mandates verification before benefit distribution, with local governments implementing the requirement after July 1, 2026, when updating forms or systems. It also authorizes the attorney general to investigate violations and requires agencies to maintain verification records. The law updates existing rules to expand verification duties beyond state agencies to include all local governments.

Maddy summarySB 2085 (Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-24-109) increases the victims' assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of certain crimes, including those who plead guilty, are found guilty, or enter diversion programs. The fee applies to criminal cases in Tennessee courts and directly affects convicted defendants. The bill specifies that $15 of each assessment goes to the court clerk for processing, while the remaining $110 must be sent to the county’s designated victim assistance program. This change redirects funding to support local victim services under existing state law.

Maddy summarySB 1562 extends the Tennessee State Veterans' Homes Board's existence until June 30, 2029, and requires the board to submit a progress report to the Education, Health, and General Welfare Joint Evaluation Committee by December 31, 2026. This report must address findings from a December 2025 performance audit of the board's operations. The bill directly affects the board's structure and reporting obligations, ensuring ongoing oversight of veterans' homes management. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-250 to reflect these changes.

Maddy summarySB 2586 establishes new regulations for stem cell therapies in Tennessee, directly affecting physicians and facilities providing these treatments. It requires stem cells used in therapy to be retrieved, manufactured, and stored only in facilities registered with the FDA and accredited by specific organizations like the American Association of Tissue Banks. The bill mandates that physicians disclose in advertisements that the therapy is not FDA-approved and must use products meeting federal manufacturing standards. It explicitly excludes therapies using cells derived from fetuses or embryos after abortion. The law aims to ensure safety through facility accreditation, viability testing, and clear patient disclosures.