Tennessee Senate Bill SB1322

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 2; Title 50, Chapter 7, Part 3; Title 58, Chapter 8; Title 58, Chapter 2 and Title 67, Chapter 5, and to amend Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. – HB 6002 / SB 6004), Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. – HB 6003 / SB 6003), and Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. – HB 6007 / SB 6007), relative to recovery from disasters and emergencies.

Summary

SB1322 amends Tennessee emergency-management law to require the responsible agency to submit an annual recovery report by February 1 each year. The report must go to the governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives and must describe recovery efforts undertaken during the prior calendar year, along with recommendations for improving the efficiency of future recovery efforts. The bill is narrowly focused on post-disaster and post-emergency recovery oversight rather than on response operations themselves. It adds a new reporting duty to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 58-2-106(b), which governs the state emergency management structure, and it takes effect immediately upon becoming law because of the declared public welfare need.

Impact

SB1322 would create a recurring statutory reporting requirement for the state agency responsible for disaster and emergency recovery, increasing legislative and executive visibility into how recovery efforts are carried out. It does not appear to change eligibility for aid, funding levels, or substantive recovery programs; instead, it adds an accountability and planning mechanism that could influence future administrative practices and inform later policy or appropriations decisions.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be a low-contention administrative oversight bill. Its purpose is framed positively around improving efficiency and transparency in disaster recovery, suggesting generally favorable sentiment toward better reporting and coordination. No opposition or recorded controversy is available in the supplied context.

Contention

The only potential point of contention is whether the new annual reporting obligation could add administrative burden to the recovery agency, especially during or after major disasters when staff resources are strained. Otherwise, the bill is technical and procedural, with no evident disputes in the provided record over policy direction, funding, or eligibility for recovery assistance.