As the 2025 session of the 114th General Assembly concludes, I am proud of the progress we have made on behalf of all Tennesseans. Through bipartisan cooperation, we passed meaningful legislation that prioritizes child protection, education, rural health care and public safety. It continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life to […]
As the 2025 session of the 114th General Assembly concludes, I am proud of the progress we have made on behalf of all Tennesseans. Through bipartisan cooperation, we passed meaningful legislation that prioritizes child protection, education, rural health care and public safety. It continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the people of Carroll, Gibson and Henderson counties in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
This session, 1,440 bills were introduced and 531 became law. These new laws address real concerns voiced by residents across our state and reflect our shared commitment to protecting citizens and ensuring opportunity for all.
One of the most important pieces of legislation I sponsored this year was the Tennessee Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act. The initiative prohibits electronic communication providers from notifying users about subpoenas or search warrants related to investigations involving Tennessee’s obscenity laws. By closing this loophole, we are giving law enforcement the tools they need to protect vulnerable children from exploitation. Every child in our state deserves to be safe and I will continue working to make that a reality.
Supporting children goes beyond ensuring their safety. This session, I co-sponsored legislation that increases recess time for students in public schools. The new statute requires schools to provide at least 40 minutes of unstructured play each day, up from the previous requirement of 130 minutes per week. Kids need time to explore, build friendships and engage in creative activities. This law helps ensure they have that opportunity.
We also addressed student health. I supported legislation that bans the use of food and beverage items containing Allura Red 40, commonly known as Red 40, in public and charter school nutrition programs. This dye, found in many processed foods, has been linked to hyperactivity, irritability and other behavioral concerns in children. By removing it from our schools, we are taking a proactive step to safeguard student well-being.
Illegal immigration and border security remain top concerns for many Tennesseans. I co-sponsored two new measures to help address these issues. The first makes it a crime to knowingly transport, harbor or conceal individuals who are in the country illegally. This legislation targets human traffickers who exploit the vulnerable and jeopardize community safety.
The second holds nongovernmental organizations accountable when undocumented individuals they house long-term commit crimes. If an organization knowingly shelters someone who later harms another person it can be held liable.
Rural health care access continues to be a central focus of my work in the legislature. This year, I carried a new law requiring pharmacy benefit managers to follow the same timely payment rules as other insurance payers. This supports local pharmacies, especially in underserved areas and ensures patients can continue to receive reliable care close to home.
I also led the passage of a law allowing certain out-of-state health insurance plans, such as those created by banks in neighboring states, to operate in Tennessee. This increases access to affordable, flexible coverage options for families and small businesses.
Another significant law I co-sponsored was the Medical Ethics Defense Act. It protects health care providers from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their moral, ethical or religious beliefs. This act respects the conscience of medical professionals while maintaining patients’ rights to access appropriate care.
Beyond legislation, the General Assembly passed a balanced $59.8 billion budget that reflects our conservative approach to fiscal management. The budget includes funding for key priorities such as more than $640 million for K-12 education, disaster relief for Hurricane Helene victims, school safety upgrades, transportation improvements and support for community services.
The budget also makes significant investments in rural Tennessee. It expands access to health care, strengthens schools and provides resources to stimulate local economies. As our state continues to rank among the fastest-growing in the nation, it is critical that we support every region and leave no community behind.
Looking ahead, I remain committed to working with colleagues from both parties to meet the evolving needs of our state. Whether it is defending our children, protecting our borders or fighting for health care, I will continue advocating for common-sense policies that put people first.
Thank you for trusting me to represent Carroll, Gibson and Henderson counties with honesty and dedication. It is a privilege to serve and I look forward to continuing this important work on your behalf. May God bless you, our nation and the great state of Tennessee.