All Roll Calls
Yes: 220 • No: 0
TennesseeSB 1110114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8 and Title 68, relative to rescue squads.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Safety
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.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Grandfathering and opt-out for squads
Squads with an active Tennessee charter before July 1, 2026 can apply for an exemption. If approved, they are recognized without meeting the new definition or training standards. Include a copy of the charter and proof it is active. The recognition form includes this exemption path. The State Fire Marshal cannot control funding for squads with an active charter before July 1, 2026. A department or nonprofit can choose not to be a rescue squad under this law, but must notify the State Fire Marshal and the local elected body and then take duties the local body assigns.
Small fine for rule violations
A violation of this part is a Class C misdemeanor. The only punishment is a $50 fine per violation. This penalty applies beginning July 1, 2026.
How squads apply, renew, and report
To be recognized, a squad applies on a State Fire Marshal form and pays up to a $50 processing fee. The certificate lasts three years, and about six months before it ends the Marshal sends notice. Renew at least 30 days before expiration and pay up to a $50 renewal fee. A new squad also needs approval from the local elected body, which must set the service area. The Marshal can refuse, suspend, or revoke a certificate for violations, not renewing, not paying fees, or if local approval is withdrawn. The Marshal and the local body must notify each other within 30 days, and hearings follow the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. After each emergency, a squad files reports within 30 days to one of these: the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads system, the National Fire Incident Reporting System, the National Emergency Response Information System, or the State Fire Marshal’s system. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
New definition and recognition for rescue squads
The law defines what counts as a “rescue squad.” It covers city, county, or nonprofit teams that do at least four of eleven rescue disciplines. For nonprofits, at least 85% of the dedicated team meets NFPA 1006 in each discipline, at least 75% volunteer or contribute time and resources, and the group is a Tennessee 501(c)(3). Law enforcement, EMS licensed by the state EMS board, and fire departments are not rescue squads under this law. A squad must be recognized by the State Fire Marshal to operate, and no one may operate without a certificate. The Fire Marshal can start rulemaking now, and other requirements apply beginning July 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Heidi Campbell
Democrat • Senate
Todd Gardenhire
Republican • Senate
Tom Hatcher
Republican • Senate
Becky D. Massey
Republican • Senate
Mark Pody
Republican • Senate
Steve Southerland
Republican • Senate
Stevens
Affiliation unavailable
Page Walley
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/6/2026
FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/6/2026
Yes: 90 • No: 0
House vote • 3/23/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/23/2026
Yes: 89 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/2/2026
Yes: 32 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 04/23/2026, 07/01/2026
4/28/2026Pub. Ch. 782
4/28/2026Signed by Governor.
4/23/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
4/15/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/14/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/9/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/8/2026SenatePassed H., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 0
4/6/2026HouseH. Am. 1 withdrawn.
4/6/2026HouseH. Am. 1 reconsidered.
4/6/2026HouseMotion to reconsider adopted.
4/6/2026HouseMotion to lift from table adopted.
4/6/2026HouseH. Placed on Message Calendar for 4/6/2026
4/2/2026HouseSenate refused to concur in amendment
3/30/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 3/30/2026
3/27/2026SenatePassed H., as am., Ayes 89, Nays 0, PNV 0
3/23/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0691)
3/23/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
3/23/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
3/5/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
3/3/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
3/2/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0
3/2/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0502)
3/2/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
3/2/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/2/2026
2/27/2026Senate
Bill Text
HA0691
3/23/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0502
Related Bills
SB 0855, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 12; Title 13; Title 29; Title 54; Title 64; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 69, relative to municipal utilities.
SB 0539, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7; Title 13; Title 48; Title 49; Title 67 and Title 68, relative to low-income housing.
SB 0254, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, relative to criminal law.
SB 0198, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, relative to taxes.
HB 2666, AN ACT to amend Chapter 131 of the Private Acts of 1969; as amended by Chapter 85 of the Private Acts of 1987; Chapter 74 of the Private Acts of 1995; Chapter 57 of the Private Acts of 2001 and Chapter 67 of the Private Acts of 2024; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the privilege tax upon hotel occupancy in Shelby County.
HB 2670, AN ACT to amend Chapter 33 of the Private Acts of 1985; as amended by Chapter 85 of the Private Acts of 2004; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the City of Gleason.