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HB 2446

Fire Prevention and Investigation - As introduced, removes the requirements that grants awarded to volunteer fire departments each year must be equally divided among the three grand divisions of the state and that the grant funds cannot be used to purchase fire trucks or vehicles. - Amends TCA Title 68.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Gary Hicks

Removes requirements that volunteer fire department grants be equally divided across Tennessee's three regions and prohibits vehicle purchases, allowing flexible funding allocation.

Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0799)
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Bill Summary · HB 2446

Legislative bill overview

HB 2446 removes two restrictions on volunteer fire department grants in Tennessee: the requirement that grant funds be equally divided among the state's three geographic divisions (Grand Divisions), and the prohibition on using grants to purchase fire trucks or vehicles. This gives the state more flexibility in distributing fire prevention funds and allows departments to use grants for equipment purchases currently prohibited.

Why is this important

Volunteer fire departments are critical infrastructure in many rural and suburban Tennessee communities. These changes could allow grants to reach departments with greatest need rather than being mechanically spread across regions, and permit departments to address their most pressing equipment needs—including vehicles—which directly affects their operational capacity and response effectiveness.

Potential points of contention

  • Geographic equity concerns: Removing the equal division requirement may disadvantage one or more Grand Divisions if funding allocation favors certain areas, potentially leaving some rural departments underserved
  • Funding competition intensity: Without geographic safeguards, smaller or less-connected departments may lose out to larger or better-resourced departments in competitive grant applications
  • Vehicle purchase costs: Allowing truck purchases could deplete grant funds quickly on high-cost items, potentially reducing the number of departments that receive assistance annually

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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