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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 153

                                                     SENATE BILL NO. 27

                                                    By Pody, Bailey, White

                                             Substituted for: House Bill No. 324

 By Grills, Hulsey, Warner, Burkhart, Capley, Howell, Fritts, Hurt, Brock Martin, Greg Martin, Davis,
             Garringer, Moody, Barrett, Reneau, McCalmon, Reedy, Zachary, Doggett, Sparks

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 58, Chapter 2, relative to emergency
          powers of the governor.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-2-107(a)(2), is amended by deleting the
subdivision and substituting:

                    (2) Pursuant to the authority vested in the governor under subdivision (a)(1 ), the
          governor may issue executive orders, proclamations, and rules and may amend or rescind
          them. Such executive orders, proclamations, and rules have the force and effect of law;
          provided, that such orders, proclamations, or rules do not contravene, suspend, or conflict with
          a provision of the Constitution of Tennessee.

          SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-2-107(e)(1), is amended by deleting the
subdivision and substituting:

                    (1) Except for subsections (m) and (n), the limitations on issuing executive orders,
          proclamations, and rules specified in subdivision (a)(2), and the duration of a declared state of
          emergency specified in subdivision (b)(2), suspend any law, order, rule, or regulation
          prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or the orders or rules or regulations
          of any state agency, if strict compliance with any such law, order, rule, or regulation would in
          any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency;

          SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 27

PASSED:  March 24, 2025

         B ... ... ~ ~ ~_..._\..\.~
                         \   RA~DY McNALLY

                            SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

                                                            CAMEROPl"SEXTON,SPEAKER
                                                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this _ _ _ day o f - - - - - . - - - - - - - 2025

         BILL LEE, GOVERNOR
                     TENNESSEE SENATE

                                                    April 8, 2025
The Honorable Tre Hargett
Secretary of State
State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-1102
Dear Mr. Secretary of State:

          Senate Bill No. 27, an act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Title 58,
Chapter 2, relative to emergency powers of the governor, was transmitted to and received by
the Governor on March 26, 2025.

          On April 3, 2025, the Governor returned the Bill without his signature. Article III,
Section 18 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee states, "If the Governor shall fail to
return any bill with his objections in writing within ten calendar days (Sundays excepted)
after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall become a law without his signature."
Pursuant to Article III, Section 18, the ten-day period for the governor to return the bill with
his veto and written objections expired and, as of April 8, 2025, the period had fully lapsed.
Therefore, Senate Bill No. 27 becomes law without the Governor's signature.

                              2ND FLOOR STATE CAPITOL • NASHVILLE, TN 37243-0001 • 615.741.2730
                                     BILL LEE

The Honorable Randy McNally
Lt. Governor and Speaker of the Senate
425 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
Suite 700 Cordell Hull Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243

                                                     April 3, 2025
Re: Senate Bill 27 / House Bill 324
Dear Lt. Governor McNally:
I am letting SB 27 / HB 324 become law without my signature. This decision reflects my deep
concern about bills that adversely impact the State's ability to protect the 7 million Tennesseans
we serve.
Recent catastrophes like Hurricane Helene and the ongoing, dangerous storms Tennesseans face
today highlight the seriousness of this issue. The Governor and our emergency management
professionals must have the capability to meaningfully protect and rescue Tennesseans when
disaster strikes. Additional restrictions would exacerbate damage and endanger lives.
This bill, unlike others currently pending, merely repeats well-established legal principles. In
taking the Oath of Office, the Governor swears to uphold the Constitutions of Tennessee and the
United States, and that obligation remains in all scenarios.
My intent in returning this bill without my signature is to caution strongly against legislation that
would compromise Tennessee's disaster response capabilities.
Respectfully,

Bill Lee
Governor
Cc: The Honorable Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the House

                STATE CAPITOL • NASHVILLE, TN 37243-0001 • PH: 615.741.2001 • www.tn.gov