Tennessee Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

Publication Date: May 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

Tennessee’s emergency management statutes are codified in the Disasters, Emergencies and Civil Defense chapter of the state code. The General Assembly has found that the population of the state is vulnerable to a range of disasters, including natural, technological, and terrorist events. The governor, General Assembly, and local officials share responsibilities such as developing disaster plans, providing aid, issuing emergency declarations, and ensuring the continuity of the government. Funds are provided through the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, with some funds earmarked from sale of special license plates. Mutual aid is provided through three compacts. The statute prohibits price gouging after disasters occur.

This report is one of a series that profiles emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant.