Bill > SB2232

This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 9-4-216, to clarify the conditions under which funds from the governor's response and recovery fund can be distributed to local governments and individuals following an emergency or disaster. Key changes include transferring oversight from the commissioner of finance and administration to the director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), and establishing specific criteria for both local governmental entities (counties, cities, municipalities, metropolitan governments, or local education agencies) and individuals to be considered "eligible." For local governments to receive funds, the governor must have declared a state of emergency, the local jurisdiction must have also declared one, federal assistance must be insufficient, and local costs must exceed a TEMA-defined threshold, with a formal request from the chief elected official. For individuals, a state of emergency must be declared, state damage totals must be unlikely to meet federal thresholds for individual assistance, and county costs must exceed a TEMA-determined amount, with a similar request from the local chief elected official. The bill also specifies eligible uses for these funds, such as debris removal, emergency protective measures, infrastructure repair, and public utility restoration, and outlines project completion timelines and local cost-sharing requirements based on a county's economic status, though waivers are possible. Importantly, funds cannot cover insurance deductibles, and local governments receiving funds must obtain all-risk and flood insurance within 120 days of approval.

Budget and Finance

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2232&ga=114