All Roll Calls
Yes: 163 • No: 2
TennesseeSB 2658114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 29; Title 39 and Title 58, relative to workers responding to emergency declarations.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Utilities, Utility Districts
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Emergency utility crews gain access and status
During a declared natural emergency in Tennessee, qualifying utility employees and authorized contractors can use public roads and enter restricted areas. Covered systems deliver communications, electricity, gas, liquids, steam, sewerage, or other materials to the public. Workers must be installing, maintaining, repairing, or restoring these systems, and access must be needed for emergency restoration. State and local police must allow reasonable access when workers show employer or contractor credentials. Police retain authority to enforce access limits for valid law enforcement purposes. The law also includes these workers as first responders under Tennessee Code § 39-13-116, but excludes law enforcement officers from that definition. The act took effect upon becoming law.
Utility workers gain limited lawsuit protection
During a declared natural emergency in Tennessee, emergency utility workers and their employers receive limited protection from civil liability. It covers injury, death, or property damage from a worker’s good-faith actions or failures to act during emergency restoration. People harmed by covered conduct have fewer grounds to recover damages. Protection excludes willful misconduct, gross negligence, and conduct unrelated to restoration. Employers remain liable for their own negligence and a worker’s negligence. The law generally leaves motor-vehicle liability unchanged, subject to other applicable protections. It creates neither a duty to act nor a new right to sue.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Powers
Affiliation unavailable
Paul Rose
Republican • Senate
Page Walley
Republican • Senate
Ken Yager
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 2 4/22/2026
Yes: 32 • No: 0
House vote • 4/20/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/20/2026
Yes: 89 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/13/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/13/2026
Yes: 33 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/25/2026
SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 05/19/2026
5/27/2026Pub. Ch. 988
5/27/2026Signed by Governor.
5/19/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
5/11/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/30/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/30/2026SenateConcurred, Ayes 32, Nays 0 (Amendment 2 - HA1105)
4/22/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
4/21/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
4/20/2026SenatePassed H., as am., Ayes 89, Nays 2, PNV 4
4/20/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA1105)
4/20/2026HouseAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0926)
4/20/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/20/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
4/15/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/13/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
4/13/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0
4/13/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0985)
4/13/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 4 - SA1001)
4/13/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 3 - SA0991)
4/13/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0896)
4/13/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026
4/10/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
4/9/2026SenateSenate Reset on calendar for 4/13/2026
4/9/2026Senate
Bill Text
HA1105
4/20/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0926
Introduced
SA0896
SA0985
SA0991
SA1001
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