Senate Bill 2232, also known as House Bill 2543, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 9-4-216, which governs 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" in the management of the fund. Additionally, it removes subsections (c) and (d) and introduces new provisions that outline the eligibility criteria for local governmental entities and individuals seeking assistance following an emergency or disaster. The bill defines "eligible individuals" and "eligible local governmental entities," detailing the requirements for accessing funds, including the necessity of a state of emergency declaration and proof of loss or need.

The new provisions specify that funds can be allocated as grants or loans to local entities under certain conditions, such as the unavailability of federal assistance and the demonstration of significant costs incurred due to the disaster. The bill also outlines the types of projects eligible for funding, including debris removal, emergency protective measures, and infrastructure repairs. Furthermore, it establishes a local cost-sharing requirement based on the economic status of the county and mandates that projects be completed within eighteen months of funding approval. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

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