Committee approves bill to create Department of Emergency Management, 11 ayes

The Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee voted April 17 to advance SB 2248, which would replace the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency with a new Department of Emergency Management.

Leader Johnson told the committee the bill transfers existing TEAM contracts, leases, rules and policies to the new department to ensure continuity and updates code references. The bill also elevates the agency head's title to commissioner; the finance amendment reduced the sunset date from three years to two years at the committee's request.

Leader Johnson emphasized the legislation does not change the governor's emergency powers or the underlying emergency-management powers in state law; it is intended to raise the agency's status and provide a commissioner-level leader.

The committee adopted the finance amendment and then voted; the clerk announced 11 ayes and recommended SB 2248 as amended for passage to the committee on the calendar.

Next steps: SB 2248 will move to the Senate calendar for further consideration.