Senate Bill 2232 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 9-4-216, to modify the administration and eligibility criteria for the governor's response and recovery fund. The bill replaces the "commissioner of finance and administration" with the "director of the Tennessee emergency management agency" as the responsible authority. It also removes subsections (c) and (d) and introduces new provisions that define eligible local governmental entities and individuals who can receive assistance following a declared emergency or disaster. The bill specifies that eligible individuals must reside in a county with a state of emergency declaration and demonstrate residency and proof of loss or need, while eligible local entities include counties, cities, municipalities, and local education agencies.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which funds can be granted or loaned to local governmental entities and individuals, including the requirement for a state of emergency declaration and the unavailability of federal assistance. It details the types of projects that can be funded, such as debris removal and infrastructure repair, and establishes a local cost-sharing requirement based on the county's economic status. The bill also mandates that projects must be completed within 18 months and includes provisions for insurance coverage and loan repayments. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9-4-216(a), 9-4-216