[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6363592,"mediaKeyId","2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81","parentId",2166088,"title","Committee approves creation of two disaster-recovery funds, including $110M interest-relief proposal and $100M response fund","audioSeconds",497,"startMs",3814735,"endMs",4312000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81&start=3814&end=4312","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81/thumbnail_3814735.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363592/Tennessee/Committee-approves-creation-of-two-disaster-recovery-funds-including-110M-interest-relief-proposal-and-100M-response-fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363592-401b3a22c05274b300dc0dc879c1a3db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025628&Signature=aeZpqw4j0FWAi7gQ4tVkgcaFtu5xTgRiBdobKNVVAPJ-bY-QH3LhgM14Gg7SKJls3Ee4GV0iV8n7563XBlbXf1H5ps53UZeyllIcB2uYnIGKnE5Kr1rgBBXXIjyPkmmR06wOtO0JyAKAxT0XD9KGt3vMbA29IB~uKX8YJraLtd0f9el7mP33t2oVr29aKht52NUZD-bZo1dJse5hly8y6KwcJPSXiUJOGOneRQTwhgES3eC0J65R2WvhFLXMCjkkvAy4HHvvxKSmMQ~548gWrVvvx-33Khkn-tFumTe9JbKG48DlO4vhKMeugaQaTYTFoP77IAuxOl23qrAZ~O5pGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","The State and Local Government Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 6003, which would establish two funds to assist local governments with disaster recovery: an interest-repayment fund to subsidize interest on recovery loans and a response-and-recovery fund to provide a standing pool of resources for future disasters.

Leader Johnson told the committee the interest-payment fund would allow the state to assist local governments by covering interest costs on loans (up to 5% for a period of three years) to help manage cash flow while localities await federal reimbursements. \"The governor's proposing $110,000,000 in the interest repayment fund,\" Johnson said. He also described a separate response-and-recovery fund the governor proposes at $100,000,000 to sit indefinitely so that money is available quickly when disasters occur.

Johnson noted the administration had already used $100,000,000 from TennCare reserves by executive order earlier in the fall to create an interest-free revolving loan fund to provide immediate liquidity for water, sewer and debris removal. He said the proposed funds in SB 6003 would create standing resources for current and future disaster response and recovery.

Senator Wally offered an amendment about municipal depreciation and grant use but withdrew it after discussions with administration and comptroller staff who said the bill's language and existing comptroller authority would permit municipalities to manage depreciation questions subject to audit.

The roll-call vote was unanimous; the committee chair announced nine ayes and the bill will move to finance. Sponsors emphasized the need to act quickly to provide liquidity to local governments that face long FEMA reimbursement timelines and significant recovery needs.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 6003 — Moved by Chairman Briggs; seconded by Senator Hatcher. Committee vote: 9 ayes, 0 no. Outcome: approved and moved to finance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State and Local Government Committee\tJan 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 6003 passed the committee to create two new funds—a $110 million interest-repayment fund to help local governments manage recovery loan costs and a $100 million response and recovery fund to be available for future disasters; sponsors said some seed money has already been designated by executive action.","taxTitle","State and Local Government, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",36809,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363597,"Committee codifies unemployment-waiver authority and clarifies TEMA assistance to local governments",162,3628810,3791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81&start=3628&end=3791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81/thumbnail_3628810.jpg","/articles/6363597/Tennessee/Committee-codifies-unemployment-waiver-authority-and-clarifies-TEMA-assistance-to-local-governments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363597-def982ce110b32ed9069cfe60a5a69db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025628&Signature=BpS5n7IzaDiw9G1S-HcdKWca2xIXu~twmLcI2GxBNpxw8H-uiOSueWSzokTwVyxnUwDQO85ADLD1g8zPIKm19t8njIeKqkqT8viEX21FQsd-uO8jdWdhv8CTzHW54kuB5RjOhPEvpmtdHK~1I7G4y3P~LvGMfU~YFJdE1t9KMO0EYyKZvtGEmVGlonp4uwwC2MKwLWbxshUZ24pzdhIC-jgpDBzHSBH~1oqg~Ut6qdIxytIIuqYf58DhREs8W1EH10u0AlwP2yGkqNwrlG2MEqOZZbGU52VvkiX2LY83SysnggOgh5aS0AqPSi-3IX6CUoZkOvm0Ok-E6pSO6AEmUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 6004, a measure that codifies two executive practices related to emergencies: allowing the commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development discretion to waive certain unemployment requirements during declared state emergencies, and clarifying that the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has the legal authority to assist local governments with recovery on public property when requested.

Leader Johnson described the bill as an administrative clarification that \"codify[s] existing practice, which is typically done through executive order, to provide that the commissioner of labor and workforce development has the discretion to waive certain unemployment requirements during a state of emergency.\" He said the change recognizes practical needs in disaster zones, such as waiving job-search requirements where there are no local jobs to apply for after catastrophic events.

The bill's second provision clarifies TEMA's authority to respond to local requests for assistance on public property. Johnson said the authority is permissive and contingent on a local government's request.

Committee members voted in favor by roll call; the chair announced nine ayes and the bill will move to the calendar. The committee did not adopt additional amendments in the hearing and asked no follow-up questions of the sponsor during the recorded session.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 6004 — Moved by Senator Wally; seconded by Senator Hatcher. Committee vote: 9 ayes, 0 no. Outcome: approved and moved to calendar.","Senate Bill 6004 passed unanimously to codify the commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development's discretion to waive unemployment requirements during state emergencies and to clarify Tennessee Emergency Management Agency authority to assist local governments with recovery on public property.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363602,"Committee passes bill to pay property-tax equivalents plus 30% for certain counties hit by floods",1336,2256665,3592670,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81&start=2256&end=3592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81/thumbnail_2256665.jpg","/articles/6363602/Tennessee/Committee-passes-bill-to-pay-property-tax-equivalents-plus-30-for-certain-counties-hit-by-floods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363602-2fcb74a949f3d1d6a8c7bffef8b2bb51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025628&Signature=F6rYvcrIyiFzweU-~hQ6Fnq~c6g2~zZ~Jf6WLXY2xDyvSaO2HHS2OMV~95hOAlQ-9QMcoBUTZKhH8tbIrRPVGmIZQy7wJZAJYlISxGmdkl4yNcJK-cL83ymEcbgMsdAfGj7rnKgWnL2Hae-YyPFaH3aFARlrUoaQpy4Mt89cjnt9IznSkcH46HP-2eU18RtN4Oi2LjXwKA~zU-fLfSZcpFheDiRj3cP6KG3wujs0W7Uxgyg2G986VtOAdTVshOyeec2DHwOfnlptm2-3ak7G7d-Vy5dHS6ZKUpJeMzlDIZE9oEgtO6f0XrYLRWSX5b1ARmkjheXNj57HL4gtAKIObA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee passed Senate Bill 6007 to provide financial assistance to owners of taxable property in several counties damaged by recent storms and flooding.

Chairman Crow, sponsor of the bill, said the measure is intended to help owners of taxable property—not state-assessed property—whose land and improvements were damaged by the hurricane. Mayor Joe Grandy of Washington County, who testified to the committee, described the extent of local damage: \"A 119 homes were completely washed away, with everything in their homes,\" Grandy said, and reported that nearly 100 more homes were damaged. He also told the committee the assessed value of land lost in one area was about $1,505,000.

Under the bill as explained by the sponsor, payments to eligible property owners would equal the amount of property tax levied in 2024 plus 30 percent. Eligibility requires that the property be in a county included in the FEMA disaster declaration, that the local property assessor verify by Jan. 28, 2025 that the property was damaged by Hurricane Helene, and that required documentation be submitted to the comptroller by June 30, 2025. The sponsor clarified that recipients would still be required to pay property taxes but that the assistance is intended to help them do so.

The committee adopted two amendments. The first amendment (tracking 2883) makes the assistance one-time and limits payment to one recipient per property, awarding assistance to the first requester for a property. The second amendment (tracking 2558) updates mutual-aid language to allow the chief executive officer of a \"governmental utility system\" to approve sending personnel and equipment across boundaries in an emergency; the amendment was read into the record by the committee's legal counsel and adopted by voice vote.

The chair called the roll following debate; the committee recorded nine ayes and no nos. The committee chair announced, \"you have 9 ayes,\" and ordered the bill to the finance committee. Sponsors and members highlighted the difficulty of long-term recovery and urged expedited assistance for affected families.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 6007 — Moved by Senator Yarbrough; seconded by Senator Wally. Committee vote: 9 ayes, 0 no. Outcome: approved and sent to finance.","Senate Bill 6007, aimed at helping property owners in counties included in the FEMA disaster declaration, passed the committee after sponsor testimony and two amendments; benefits will equal 2024 tax levied plus 30% and require local assessor verification.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363607,"Committee advances bill to expand state immigration enforcement, sparking constitutional and fiscal concerns",1304,932090,2237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81&start=932&end=2237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81/thumbnail_932090.jpg","/articles/6363607/Tennessee/Committee-advances-bill-to-expand-state-immigration-enforcement-sparking-constitutional-and-fiscal-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363607-4b1a28466793fd2ce118d2292c67b4de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025628&Signature=hOFARpjQqWs9Xe1AnNbIS~3oeV7msVRuC0WnW1eBsSdI9sOYMK2MHeAcwuo3BV7oWfLz2feEDIS9QbHwOGxcW2db4f0hKGNjr-y3M9Ak4Z-rJYxslFcy65FFLQO~yjp6YMrLt-Jbh4ramvzR8UEv2mbOe0-3C-4rhE0T2p0h4OzSxjQBlEk9UuBd~NcItpxBLaBfSe0qJYY5J4j49dd4rglV1bTCv9Z3AVkqrVu3IRMDcqVdXRVDL3050LpFa6oY0PcJsEk7Hya1bZeAqXTqDLAnf33e2aEGTb69nlNRODJiJD0Jixpe6gsJMFkDgQehwCTV24pN6WjBXD~W8whBTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee voted 6-3 to pass Senate Bill 6002, a broad measure that would centralize state immigration enforcement, fund local participation in federal 287(g) agreements and restrict the use of temporary driver's licenses for voter identification.

Senator Ken Watson, sponsor of the bill, told the committee \"Senate Bill 6,002 strengthens Tennessee's efforts to combat illegal immigration by aligning state policies with President Trump's immigration enforcement policies.\" Watson described four components: creation of a centralized immigration enforcement division within the Department of Safety; authority for a chief immigration enforcement officer to negotiate a statewide 287(g) agreement; grants to local governments to support participation in 287(g) (for training, equipment and operational costs); and driver's-license reforms that would restrict eligibility to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and those with federal authorization for specified periods.

The bill also proposes a visually distinctive marker for temporary licenses issued to noncitizens and requires proof of citizenship for renewal or reissuance of driver's licenses effective Jan. 1, 2026. The measure would criminalize adoption or enforcement of sanctuary policies by state and local officials and empowers the attorney general to remove officials who violate that prohibition, according to Watson.

Several committee members voiced constitutional and fiscal concerns. Senator Yeager said the bill raises questions about longstanding legal protections, including legislative immunity, and cautioned that use of state resources for immigration enforcement duplicates federal responsibility. \"There are provisions that are sort of blatantly in violation of constitutional provisions that have been long recognized,\" Yeager said. He also warned about the fiscal burden if local governments are mandated to act without adequate federal compensation.

Members asked technical questions about the temporary-license language and whether a paper receipt provided at a driver's-license office would be disqualified as voter identification. Ben Voydos of the Department of Safety told the committee \"the temporary license and code that the bill ... is defined in code as a temporary license. Now, what you have is just kind of called a temporary license until you get your physical card license. That is not defined in code as a temporary license.\" Mark Goins, coordinator of elections, told the committee the \"legal definition will apply to those folks that are not U.S. citizens who are receiving a temporary driver's license,\" and that the paper receipt used by citizens pending a physical card has been accepted for voting in prior elections.

The chair moved the measure with Senator Wally seconding. Final roll call recorded ayes from Senators Hatcher, Jackson, Lowe, Roberts, Wally and Chairman Briggs; no votes from Senators Gardenhire, Oliver and Yarbrough. The chair announced, \"you have 6 ayes, 3 nos,\" and the committee passed the bill and moved it to the calendar.

The committee adopted an amendment from Government Operations clarifying that only permanent driver's licenses and photo IDs are valid for voter identification and explicitly excluding temporary IDs; the amendment also stated that grants and the chief immigration officer authority would terminate on Jan. 20, 2029 unless the legislature extends them.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 6002 — Moved by Chairman Briggs; seconded by Senator Wally. Committee vote: 6 ayes (Hatcher, Jackson, Lowe, Roberts, Wally, Briggs), 3 nos (Gardenhire, Oliver, Yarbrough). Outcome: approved and moved to calendar.","Senate Bill 6002 passed the State and Local Government Committee 6-3 after debate over a package that creates a centralized immigration enforcement division in the Department of Safety, funds local participation in 287(g) agreements, tightens driver's-license eligibility and criminalizes sanctuary policies.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363612,"Committee approves creation of Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority to enable tax-advantaged private financing",207,597865,805290,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81&start=597&end=805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166088-481b8d5ec32eb119568c196b8c078b81/thumbnail_597865.jpg","/articles/6363612/Tennessee/Committee-approves-creation-of-Tennessee-Transportation-Financing-Authority-to-enable-tax-advantaged-private-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363612-a478d25108ae55d314fde9fcc50653ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025628&Signature=YxRiDnBDi9-16injapNKyAekLyPj02dyk31f83KR5w7ZcPI0gTL69PkE3-VXbhQCU1kMt2yCSomL-8EfeUrTIrpn7yQXpORodUvkrKKTuvTzYb762ZbZZ-Nuj15JuQ0F31HzRXjS5oTo4wUgUMuASTUcZi2FGRJ0IePJkSDJFNJY~PV8J-yl1emXeK~olBZgKFLiB2h2nA2qi9HtrKZZ4S-Y5t5GfirwtjUpvmjBiSSxMpRF1MKrztysC5ko~NO93Y--m~14Hrycmfoodx5vxZhqdN2I4hAbKVj~WT~-8J2lxxS9mAZ~FhrpOwpAbJr2Ki0sZc5izlHLvILfi0Ssbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee on Oct. 12 passed Senate Bill 6006 to establish the Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority, a conduit issuer intended to enable private investment in transportation projects through tax-advantaged financing.

Senator Jon Hale, sponsor of the bill, said the authority would let the state leverage private-sector investment for projects authorized under the Transportation Modernization Act of 2023 without placing state debt on the books. \"We make government work better, and this bill certainly helps government work better by establishing the Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority as a conduit issuer to finance\" projects, Hale told the committee.

The bill would attach the new authority for administrative purposes to the Comptroller and the Treasurer's offices and create an administrative structure including the governor, the commissioner of finance and administration, the comptroller and the secretary of state. Hale told members the arrangement is intended to ensure the state has no recourse if a private developer defaults: \"This will ensure there's no state debt on the state's books. Even if a developer defaults, there's no recourse to the state.\" He said the measure was brought now to enable specific projects, including interest in a choice lane project on I-24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro.

The chair moved the bill with Senator Wally seconding. The roll call produced nine ayes and no recorded no votes; the committee chair announced, \"You have 9 ayes.\" The committee recorded the motion as passed and ordered the bill to the calendar.

The committee did not adopt any amendments during its consideration and did not set implementation dates in the hearing. The bill will proceed to the next step on the legislative calendar.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 6006 — Moved by Chairman Briggs; seconded by Senator Wally. Committee vote: 9 ayes, 0 no. Outcome: approved and moved to calendar.","The State and Local Government Committee voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 6006, creating a conduit issuer to allow tax-exempt private activity bond financing for transportation projects, while keeping any resulting debt off state books.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves creation of two disaster-recovery funds, including $110M interest-relief proposal and $100M response fund

Committee codifies unemployment-waiver authority and clarifies TEMA assistance to local governments

Committee passes bill to pay property-tax equivalents plus 30% for certain counties hit by floods

Committee advances bill to expand state immigration enforcement, sparking constitutional and fiscal concerns

Committee approves creation of Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority to enable tax-advantaged private financing