SB 1865 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Fire Prevention and Investigation - As enacted, creates the rescue squad grant program to provide annual grants to rescue squads for the purchase of firefighting equipment and training; directs the commissioner of commerce and insurance to evaluate grant requests and select grant award recipients each year. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 102.

SB 1865 creates two annual grant programs for Tennessee fire and rescue organizations: a "rescue squad grant program" and a "volunteer firefighter equipment and training grant program." It provides funds specifically for purchasing firefighting equipment (excluding vehicles) and training, directly benefiting recognized rescue squads (municipal, county, or nonprofit emergency response groups) and volunteer fire departments. The commissioner of commerce and insurance will evaluate applications and award grants each year, aiming to spend all allocated funds annually without returning unused money to the general budget. The bill amends Tennessee law to establish these programs, effective July 1, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed Apr 1, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
24
Key actions
9
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Apr 1, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 27, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0618)
upper
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0618)
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 2/17/2026
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson
RRepublican
TN
27