Tennessee House Bill HB2362

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24
• Refer: 2/1/24
• Refer: 2/14/24
• Refer: 3/6/24
• Chaptered: 4/3/24
• Passed: 4/3/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-86-303(e), relative to the emergency communications board.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2362 guarantees a consistent baseline for funding for emergency services, which is particularly important given the increasing demands placed on these services. By ensuring that the distribution of funds to the districts cannot be less than the amount received in the most recent fiscal year, the legislation aims to protect the operational capabilities of emergency communications entities. This could lead to improved emergency response times and increased efficiency in handling crisis situations, as the districts will not face unpredictable cuts in funding.

Summary

House Bill 2362 is focused on amending Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 7-86-303(e), which pertains to the emergency communications board funding. The amendment modifies the fiscal years for which funding allocations are set, changing the referenced years from 2010, 2011, and 2012 to 2021, 2022, and 2023. This change reflects an update to ensure that the funding distributed to emergency communications districts is at least equal to what was received in fiscal year 2023. The intent of this bill is to provide stable funding for emergency communication services across Tennessee, which are crucial for public safety and emergency responses.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HB 2362 appears largely positive, as the bill addresses a vital area of public safety that has implications for all Tennessee residents. Lawmakers and stakeholders in emergency communications have expressed support for the measure, viewing it as essential to maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness of emergency responses. The support crosses party lines, indicating bipartisan agreement on the necessity of stable funding for emergency services.

Contention

While there were no significant points of contention noted in the discussions surrounding HB 2362, it is important to highlight that funding emanating from state budgets often creates underlying tensions around resource allocation. As the bill centers on ensuring funding for emergency communications, there may be discussions in the future about how these funds are sourced and what other areas of public service might be affected by budgetary constraints. Thus, while HB 2362 itself has not faced major opposition, it situates itself within broader debates about state funding priorities.