Budget & Taxes

HB 6003 creates two state funds to support disaster recovery in Tennessee. The Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund helps local governments cover interest costs (capped at 5% or prime rate) on loans used for Hurricane Helene-related recovery, specifically for counties included in the federal disaster declaration. The Governor's Response and Recovery Fund provides broader assistance for agricultural recovery, unemployment aid, and business support following state emergencies, including Hurricane Helene. Both funds are managed by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and must be used exclusively for approved recovery purposes, with annual reports to legislative committees.

HB 6006 creates the Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority to provide bonds and financing for state transportation projects. The authority can issue bonds and use user fees to fund highways, bridges, airports, and other transportation infrastructure. It operates under the comptroller of the treasury with a board including the governor and state finance officials. This bill establishes a new mechanism for financing and maintaining Tennessee's transportation systems, directly affecting how the state funds infrastructure development and improvements.

SB 6006 creates the Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority (TTF Authority) to provide bonds and financing for state transportation projects like highways, bridges, and transit systems. The authority, governed by a board including the governor and state finance officials, can issue bonds and use user fees to cover project costs - including construction, land acquisition, and engineering expenses. This directly affects how Tennessee funds and manages transportation infrastructure development, maintenance, and improvements statewide. The bill replaces previous financing mechanisms with a dedicated state authority to streamline project funding.

SB 6003 creates two new state funds to support disaster recovery in Tennessee. The Hurricane Helene interest payment fund helps local governments in counties affected by Hurricane Helene pay interest costs (capped at 5% or prime rate) on loans used for eligible recovery spending. The governor's response and recovery fund provides broader assistance for agricultural, unemployment, and business recovery efforts following declared emergencies, including Hurricane Helene. Both funds are managed by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and must be used exclusively for these purposes, with annual reporting required to legislative committees. The bill became effective February 12, 2025.

SB 6005 is an appropriations bill that funds Tennessee's state government operations for the 2024-2025 fiscal years. It allocates specific sums for key programs, including $225.8 million for Education Freedom Scholarships, $210 million for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, $240 million for disaster relief, and $20 million to rebuild Hampton High School in Carter County. The bill also covers expenses for the first extraordinary session of the 114th General Assembly and provides funds for tourism development and incentives for high-performing schools. These appropriations directly support state agencies, schools, and local governments by providing resources for their designated programs and operations.

SB 6007 provides property tax relief to owners of real or personal property damaged or destroyed by a FEMA-certified disaster occurring between September 26 and September 30, 2024. The state treasurer must disburse payments equal to 130% of the 2024 property tax bill to qualifying owners who owned the property during the disaster and reside in a county covered by the FEMA declaration. Owners must submit required documentation by June 30, 2025, to receive payments, and the program expires December 31, 2025. The bill also updates emergency response rules to allow government entities to deploy personnel and equipment across jurisdictional lines during emergencies with approval from their chief executive.

HB 6007 requires Tennessee's state treasurer to pay property owners 130% of their 2024 property taxes for real or personal property destroyed or damaged by a FEMA-certified disaster occurring between September 26 and 30, 2024. This applies to owners in counties covered by the FEMA declaration who owned the property during the disaster, with payments disbursed by June 30, 2025, after submitting required documentation. The bill also amends state law to allow local governments to deploy personnel and equipment across jurisdictional boundaries during emergencies, with chief executive approval. The property tax provision expires December 31, 2025, and applies only to the specified disaster window.

HB 6005 is a state budget bill that allocates funds for Tennessee's 2024-2025 fiscal years, covering state operations and specific programs. It provides $225.8 million annually for Education Freedom Scholarships, $210 million for Hurricane Helene disaster recovery funds (split between interest payments and emergency response), and $20 million to rebuild Hampton High School in Carter County. Additional funds include $240 million for military and disaster relief cost-sharing, $17 million for high-performing schools, and $6.2 million to cover expenses for the 114th General Assembly's extraordinary session. The bill directs state agencies to manage these funds for designated purposes without policy changes.