Northeast TN legislators lead charge to revamp state emergency loan distribution process

NASHVILLE — State Rep. Rebecca Alexander, R-Johnson City, introduced legislation to a House subcommittee which would streamline the distribution of state grants to counties that have experienced a disaster. The bill would remove certain requirements typically necessary for receipt of Tennessee Emergency Management Agency grants. Among a host of other requirements, potential recipients of TEMA funds must detail how funds will be used in order to receive them — even amidst disasters such as Hurricane Helene. "Our state procurement requirements are great, because they've got a lot of checks and balances," Alexander said while presenting the bill to the House Departments and Agencies subcommittee. "But when we're in a disaster situation, there needs to be a separate way that they do that so that they don't have to go through many, many steps to get the money back to our counties." The legislation passed through the subcommittee with unanimous support, and the bill heads to a full committee vote. "I will say — it probably will not help Northeast Tennessee, where I'm from," Alexander said. "But it will help with future disasters…. We need to be able to get the bureaucracy out of the way, and let's get down to doing business." The legislation comes amid a Northeast Tennessee-led push to revamp the process for local governments receiving emergency aid from during disasters. Seven other East Tennessee legislators are cosponsoring Alexander's bill, including state Reps. Tim Hicks, R-Gray; Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport; Renea Jones, R-Unicoi; John Crawford, R-Kingsport, and Timothy Hill, R-Blountville. Last week, Crowe presented legislation to a Senate committee that would allow local governments to fast-track approval for emergency loans and grants through the Comptroller's Office rather than having to wait for federal approval — which can often take longer. The House version of that bill, sponsored by Unicoi Rep. Renea Jones, R, also has widespread support with a total of fourteen cosponsors — many of whom represent areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Both bills look poised to sail through the state legislature. Throughout both chambers, there has not yet been a vote in opposition to either. Jones is scheduled to introduce her bill to the House Cities and Counties Subcommittee Wednesday.