Tennessee Senate Bill SB2248

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

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.

Summary

SB2248 is a narrow emergency management measure that amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 58-2-104(c). The bill changes the reporting requirement for the emergency management agency and director during emergency conditions by specifying that reports must be made in writing, in addition to any other means already used. In practical terms, it adds a written-reporting requirement to existing emergency communications and reporting obligations. The bill does not create a new program or substantially reorganize emergency management law; instead, it makes a targeted procedural change within the state’s emergency response framework. Because the caption references multiple titles of the Tennessee Code, the measure is framed broadly as an emergency management bill, but the operative language is limited to one statutory amendment. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting the legislature’s view that the change should apply without delay. The committee record shows strong support for the bill. It advanced unanimously through the Senate State & Local Government Committee, the Senate Government Operations Committee, and the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, each time with no recorded opposition. That voting pattern suggests broad agreement that the amendment is administrative and noncontroversial. There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available materials. The only likely point of discussion would be whether requiring written reports during emergency conditions adds useful documentation and accountability or creates an additional administrative burden during fast-moving incidents. However, the unanimous committee votes indicate that any such concern did not generate opposition in committee.

Impact

SB2248 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 58-2-104(c) to require the emergency management agency and director to report in writing during emergency conditions, while still allowing other reporting methods. The bill affects the state’s emergency management reporting procedures and may increase documentation and recordkeeping obligations for the agency and director, but it does not appear to alter substantive emergency powers or duties beyond the reporting format. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment around SB2248 appears strongly positive and procedural rather than partisan. The bill moved through three Senate committees with unanimous or near-unanimous support and no recorded opposition, indicating broad agreement that the change is modest and useful. The available record suggests the measure was viewed as a straightforward administrative improvement to emergency management reporting.

Contention

No major controversy is reflected in the available committee and vote history. The only conceivable point of contention is whether mandating written reports during emergency conditions could slow response operations or add paperwork, versus improving transparency, accountability, and documentation. Because the bill passed committee unanimously at each stage, any such concern appears to have been minimal or resolved in favor of the bill.