Senate passes Appropriations Act in special session; restores $6.2 million for Sevier County

The Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill 6,005, the Appropriations Act for the 1st extraordinary session of the 114th General Assembly, after adopting several finance committee amendments that reshaped education, disaster relief and local capital funding.

The bill cleared third and final consideration following voice votes on committee amendments and a final passage vote that the presiding officer declared carried by constitutional majority. Chairman Watson, who explained the finance committee amendments, described the measure as funding recovery, education incentives and capital projects across the state.

Watson said the package includes a set of high-priority appropriations: "Dollars $210,000,000 of a non recurring appropriation deposited for hurricane, Helene interest payment fund as well as the governor's response and recovery fund," plus "an additional $240,000,000 non recurring to the Department of Military for disaster relief grants," $20,000,000 nonrecurring to the Department of Finance and Administration for relocation and reconstruction of Hampton High School in Carter County, $17,000,000 recurring to the Department of Education for incentives to high-performing school districts, $60.3 million for capital, $198,000,000 for teacher bonuses, and $145,000,000 in education scholarships.

Several committee amendments were adopted during debate. Finance Committee Amendment No. 1 added two sections, including $5.5 million tied to a recently passed immigration bill and $1.9 million recurring for disaster relief. Amendment No. 2 adjusted a gaming fund allocation for capital from $77,000,000 to $62,700,000. Amendment No. 3 removed about $3,000,000 in administrative costs and reduced a recurring $6,200,000 appropriation that had previously been allocated to a Sevier County tax district.

Amendment No. 4, filed by Chairman Watson, restored the $6,200,000 recurring distribution to Sevier County tourism development zones. Senator Yarbrough pressed the finance chair on whether restoring that geographically targeted funding fit within the scope of the special-session call, saying, "I don't actually believe that that ends up being an adequate explanation in terms of why this would be in the full scope of the call." Watson responded that he and other finance members agreed the restoration "fits within the appropriations act" and would correct a Sevier County funding issue; the amendment was approved by the body.

The bill's passage was marked by floor expressions of relief and gratitude from members representing affected communities. One senator thanked colleagues and the sponsor for including $20,000,000 for Hampton High School, describing the school as "completely devastated" and saying the appropriation will help the community begin rebuilding.

Procedural votes and motions also took place: the consent calendar was approved by constitutional majority earlier in the session, and the Senate adopted a rules suspension to consider an adjournment resolution before recessing until 1:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Finance Amendment No. 1: adopted (voice vote) - Finance Amendment No. 2: adopted (voice vote) - Finance Amendment No. 3: adopted (voice vote) - Finance Amendment No. 4 (restoring $6.2M to Sevier County): adopted (voice vote after floor discussion) - Senate Bill 6,005 (Appropriations Act) as amended: passed (declared to have received constitutional majority)

What happens next: The bill was passed by the Senate as amended. The transcript records voice votes and a declaration that the bill received a constitutional majority; the roll-call tally for final passage was not recorded in the transcript provided. The Senate recessed until 1:30 p.m.

Sources and attribution: Quotations and attributions are taken from floor remarks by Chairman Watson and Senator Yarbrough during debate; other descriptions summarize floor actions and member remarks recorded in the session transcript.