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Panel approves making Tennessee Emergency Management a cabinet‑level department

State and Local Government Committee, Tennessee House of Representatives · March 19, 2026

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Summary

The committee approved an amendment and advanced HB 25-60 to create the Tennessee Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) as a cabinet-level department; supporters cited recent storms and the need to separate preparedness and response functions.

Leader Lambreth sponsored House Bill 25-60, which the committee amended and advanced to government operations. The bill would establish the Tennessee Department of Emergency Management as a cabinet‑level department, a change backers said would distinguish preparedness and readiness from incident response.

Leader Lambreth told members: “My chairman just, creates the Tennessee Department of Emergency Management as a cabinet level department,” and supporters including Representative Powell pointed to recent extreme weather, saying the state needs clearer leadership and oversight for preparedness.

There were no contentious questions and the clerk reported 21 ayes and 0 nos. The measure advances to government operations for further consideration.