PRIA Logo™
TennesseeHB 2560114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

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 (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Civil Emergencies

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Shelter residents can keep mobile phones

Beginning July 1, 2026, you may possess a mobile phone in qualifying emergency camps and shelters, despite other laws. This covers camps and shelters organized or maintained by federal, Tennessee, or local emergency management agencies. It also covers those provided through an action by one of these agencies.

Tennessee creates new emergency management department

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee creates the Department of the Tennessee Emergency Management Authority, or TEMA. A commissioner leads it under the governor's supervision and coordinates emergency management statewide. The department administers emergency management laws and transferred rules and policies, which the commissioner may update. It may create local emergency organizations, coordinate aid with other states and federal officials, and deploy resources, including the National Guard. It coordinates with the governor's office on activating disaster resources. It may issue emergency rules after consulting health officials and other emergency partners, and consider other states' rules. It may hire staff, provide offices and equipment, and spend available emergency funds; the law provides no separate appropriation. Existing contracts and leases remain in force until expiration or amendment by the parties, and their obligations remain protected.

Advance emergency declarations cover utility vehicles

Beginning July 1, 2026, the governor may give TEMA's commissioner authority to declare an emergency before an anticipated emergency occurs. Such a declaration can cover commercial vehicles distributing electric power, supplying fuel, or providing telecommunications services to homes and businesses. Qualifying vehicles can count as part of an emergency relief effort under federal driving-hour rules. The law does not provide a direct household payment.

Hazardous material releases require prompt reports

Beginning July 1, 2026, hazardous-material transporters must report qualifying accidents or incidents to TEMA as soon as practicable. This applies when materials escape their container in a vehicle bearing hazard signs required by safety or transportation rules. Anyone else who knows about such an accident or incident must also report it. These reports are required in addition to other legally required reports.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William Lamberth

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Mark Cochran

    Republican • House

  • Elaine Davis

    Republican • House

  • Dan Howell

    Republican • House

  • Jason Powell

    Democrat • House

  • Lowell Russell

    Republican • House

  • White

    Affiliation unavailable

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. Effective date(s) 07/01/2026

    5/27/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 1045

    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. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    4/21/2026Senate

  10. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0740)

    4/21/2026Senate

  11. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 4 - SA1034)

    4/21/2026Senate

  12. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 3 - SA0987)

    4/21/2026Senate

  13. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0849)

    4/21/2026Senate

  14. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/21/2026Senate

  15. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/15/2026Senate

  16. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/14/2026House

  17. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/14/2026House

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

    4/14/2026House

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

    4/14/2026House

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

    4/14/2026House

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

    4/14/2026House

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

    4/9/2026House

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

    4/8/2026House

  24. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/8/2026House

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

    4/7/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation