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TennesseeHB 2560114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 9; Title 13; Title 16; Title 39; Title 55; Title 58; Title 62; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to emergency management.

Sponsored By: William Lamberth, William (Republican)

Became Law

Civil Emergencies

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Phones allowed in disaster shelters

Beginning July 1, 2026, people housed in camps or shelters run by FEMA, the department, or local emergency management may keep a mobile phone. The law overrides any conflicting bans in those shelters.

Contracts and rules carry over

Beginning July 1, 2026, contracts and leases tied to transferred programs stay in force. They count as agreements with the new department until they end or are amended. Existing rules, orders, and policies also remain in effect. The commissioner can revise or replace them as needed.

Faster emergency rules for disasters

Beginning July 1, 2026, the department can adopt emergency rules under the state procedures law. It must consult the Department of Health and consider other states' rules. This speeds up uniform, coordinated emergency responses.

New state department for emergencies

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee creates the Department of the Tennessee Emergency Management Authority to run emergency management. A commissioner leads it under the governor. The commissioner can hire staff, set pay, and spend available emergency funds. The department coordinates with local, state, and federal partners, and can recommend Guard use and mutual aid. State law now uses "the department" and "commissioner" instead of the old agency and director.

Quicker emergency relief for utility trucks

Beginning July 1, 2026, the governor may let the commissioner declare an emergency. This lets certain power, fuel, and telecom service trucks count as emergency relief for federal driving-hour rules. The commissioner may declare an emergency in advance when a threat is coming.

Report hazardous material spills quickly

Beginning July 1, 2026, anyone transporting placarded hazardous materials must report any release to the department as soon as practicable. Anyone else who knows about such a release must also report it. This improves state response and public safety.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William Lamberth, William

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Mark Cochran, Mark

    Republican • House

  • Elaine Davis, Elaine

    Republican • House

  • Dan Howell, Dan

    Republican • House

  • Jason Powell, Jason

    Democrat • House

  • Lowell Russell, Lowell

    Republican • House

  • Dawn White, Dawn

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 280 • No: 11

House vote • 4/22/2026

FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 4 4/22/2026

Yes: 84 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/21/2026

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/14/2026

Yes: 85 • No: 9

House vote • 4/13/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2026

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 27 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Yes: 12 • No: 1

House vote • 3/18/2026

HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

HOUSE DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 1045

    5/27/2026

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2026

    5/27/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/22/2026

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/11/2026House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/5/2026Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2026House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/28/2026House

  8. H. concurred in S. am. no. 4 Ayes 84, Nays 1 PNV 5

    4/22/2026House

  9. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/21/2026Senate

  10. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0849)

    4/21/2026Senate

  11. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 3 - SA0987)

    4/21/2026Senate

  12. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 4 - SA1034)

    4/21/2026Senate

  13. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0740)

    4/21/2026Senate

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    4/21/2026Senate

  15. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/15/2026Senate

  16. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0738)

    4/14/2026House

  17. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0746)

    4/14/2026House

  18. H. adopted am. (Amendment 3 - HA1064)

    4/14/2026House

  19. Passed H., as am., Ayes 85, Nays 9, PNV 1

    4/14/2026House

  20. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/14/2026House

  21. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/14/2026House

  22. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026

    4/9/2026House

  23. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/8/2026House

  24. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026

    4/8/2026House

  25. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/7/2026House

Bill Text

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