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HB 238

Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Civil Defense and Disaster Compact to June 30, 2033. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 58, Chapter 2.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Justin Lafferty

Extends Tennessee's Civil Defense and Disaster Compact participation through June 30, 2033, enabling continued interstate emergency coordination and disaster response.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 5
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Bill Summary · HB 238

Legislative bill overview

HB 238 extends Tennessee's participation in the Civil Defense and Disaster Compact through June 30, 2033. The bill amends relevant sections of Tennessee Code Annotated to formalize this extended authorization, replacing the previous sunset date with a new one nearly a decade away.

Why is this important

The Civil Defense and Disaster Compact allows Tennessee to coordinate emergency response and mutual aid with other states during natural disasters and emergencies. By extending the sunset date, the state ensures continuity of these interstate disaster management agreements without requiring new legislative action in the near term.

Potential points of contention

  • Sunset extension length: An 8-year extension is relatively long; some may prefer more frequent legislative review of interstate compacts to ensure ongoing relevance and accountability
  • Lack of transparency in recent amendments: The bill underwent a "Comp. SB subst." (Committee substitute) on 2/20/2025 with limited public documentation of what substantive changes were made
  • Minimal legislative debate: Placement on the Consent Calendar suggests limited floor discussion, which may be appropriate for routine extensions but limits public input on disaster management policy

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

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