Capitol Roundup: It's a Wrap! Session Adjourned with Key Legislation Passed

It's a wrap! The 114th Tennessee General Assembly is officially adjourned. This session went by faster than most—typically, the legislature isn't done until the first week of May. This week, we were on the House Floor Monday and Tuesday, nearly all day until 7pm, voting on legislation. I wanted to share some of the most notable bills that passed in our final days together.

Constitutional Amendments

These Senate Joint Resolutions, passed with bipartisan support, will appear on the 2026 Governor's Ballot for Tennesseans to vote on adding these to the state Constitution:

SJR 001 - Ban on State Property Tax

Prohibits the state from levying a property tax in the future. Tennessee hasn't had a state property tax since 1949, and this preemptive measure ensures it stays that way.

SJR 009 - Victims' Rights

Expands the rights of crime victims to be heard, informed, and treated with fairness, dignity, and respect throughout the judicial process. It also ensures victims are notified of the parole, release, or escape of the accused or convicted person to protect their safety.

SJR 25 - Bail Restrictions for Violent Crimes

Gives judges discretion to deny bail when proof is evident for violent crimes such as aggravated rape of a child, grave torture, acts of terrorism, and second-degree murder. The resolution would also require judges to provide a written record of their reasoning when granting or denying bail in these cases.

Bills I Supported

Food Cottage Law Expansion (HB 130): MY FIRST BILL!

Allows the sale of homemade food items, including poultry and pasteurized dairy products, under Tennessee's Food Freedom Act. It boosts small businesses, small food producers, and emerging entrepreneurs while giving consumers more options for fresh, homemade goods.

Lab-Grown Meat Labeling (HB 804) (Co-Sponsor)

Prohibits lab-grown, cell-cultured products from being labeled as meat and sets clear rules for their sale in Tennessee. It protects consumers by ensuring honest labeling and helping them make informed choices about the food they buy.

TDOT Funding (HB 969)

Allocates recurring tire tax revenue to Tennessee's highway fund to improve infrastructure. This provides sustainable funding to modernize roads and enhance transportation safety across the state.

Unlawful Photography (HB 99) (Co-Sponsor)

Increases the penalty for unlawful photography and requires sex offender registration in severe cases. This protects Tennesseans—especially children—from exploitation and reinforces the seriousness of privacy violations.

Protecting Access to Affordable Medications (HB 1242)

Ensures that Tennesseans who rely on the 340B drug program will continue to have access to essential medications by protecting safety-net providers from interference by pharmaceutical manufacturers. This protects vulnerable Tennesseans by ensuring they continue to have access to affordable medicines.

Family Restroom Signage (HB 60) (Co-Sponsor)

Requires highway signs to show which rest areas and welcome centers have family restrooms. It makes travel safer and more convenient for families, seniors, and people with disabilities by clearly identifying accessible facilities.

Newborn Safe Haven (HB 386) (Co-Sponsor)Extends the safe surrender window for newborns from 14 to 45 days. This offers more time and compassion to mothers in crisis, ensuring safer outcomes for newborns.

Equal Opportunity - DEI Ban Bill (HB 923)

Prohibits public institutions from operating DEI departments that promote or require preferential treatment. It aims to ensure fairness and equal treatment, without government-sanctioned discrimination, in hiring and education.

Fighting Deepfakes, Defending Privacy (HB 1299) (Co-Sponsor)

Allows victims to sue if someone shares fake, intimate images of them without consent. It also makes it a felony to post or threaten to post such images with the intent to cause harm. This bill protects Tennesseans from AI-driven image abuse and defends personal privacy.

State of Emergency (HB 132) (Co-Sponsor)

Gives the General Assembly authority to end a governor-declared state of emergency through joint resolution. It ensures balanced government oversight and prevents executive overreach in prolonged emergencies.

Transportation Needs Study (HB 736)

Requires a report on sustainable, long-term transportation funding solutions for Tennessee. It sets the stage for smart, future-proof investments in our infrastructure.

Barry Brady Act Expansion (HB 482) (Co-Sponsor)

Adds more cancer types to the list of firefighter job-related illnesses covered by workers' compensation. This honors the sacrifices of firefighters by expanding support for those facing job-related health issues.

Human Smuggling (HB 322) (Co-Sponsor)

Creates felony offenses for human smuggling and aggravated human smuggling, with added protections against trafficking. It strengthens Tennessee's fight against human trafficking and protects vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

Tennessee National Guard Medical Readiness (HB 479)

Creates a grant program to help National Guard members pay TRICARE health insurance premiums. It supports the well-being of those who serve our state by easing the burden of healthcare costs.

Federal Education Deregulation Task Force (HB 958)

Establishes a task force to prepare Tennessee for possible changes in federal education oversight. It helps ensure Tennessee's education system is ready to adapt and remain effective in a changing federal landscape.

First Responder PTSD Protections (HB 310)

Expands workers' compensation coverage for PTSD to include police and emergency responders. It provides vital leave of absence from work to those who face trauma on the front lines of public safety as they seek PTSD treatment.

Bills I Opposed

HB 152 – Remote Participation by Local Officials

While I appreciate the intent to accommodate unforeseen circumstances, this bill undermines the public's expectation that elected officials be physically present and fully engaged in public meetings. The existing law already accounts for military service, and expanding exceptions to include broad terms like "family emergency" risks reducing accountability and transparency.

HB 1093 – Firearm-Related Crime Penalties

I opposed this bill because it removes critical legal safeguards for citizens acting in self-defense—such as in the case of a carjacking—by denying eligibility for probation or sentence reduction regardless of context. The mandatory 100% sentence service is excessively punitive and lacks flexibility for judicial discretion. Furthermore, redefining "machine gun" to include specific parts or conversion devices raises concerns about vagueness and conflicts with federal law.

HB 371 – Mandatory Cognitive Behavioral Training

While I support programs that reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation, this bill applies a blanket requirement for cognitive behavioral training to all Class A misdemeanors, regardless of the nature or context of the offense. Additionally, imposing up to 10 days of jail time for not completing the course, even due to lack of computer access or other barriers, is overly punitive.

Present Not Voting

HB 55 – The PEACE Act

This bill was introduced to address hate crimes and public safety, including a provision that makes it a crime to approach within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer. At the same time, they are engaged in official duties, after being told to stop or retreat. I chose to be Present Not Voting because while I recognize the safety concerns officers may face, I also see how this restriction could infringe on the press and public's right to observe and document police activity. Balancing officer safety and public accountability is essential, and this bill may not strike that balance without jeopardizing important rights.

Thank You for Your Engagement

As my first legislative session comes to a close, I want to express my deep gratitude for your support and engagement throughout these months. It has been an honor to represent District 27 and to work on legislation that reflects our community's values.

With the session now adjourned, I'll be spending more time back in the district and look forward to connecting with many of you in person in the coming months. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if I can ever be of service.