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2025 · Government
Limits governor’s emergency powers to protect constitutional rights.
HB 0324 / SB 0027
Bill description
Limit governor's emergency powers to prevent orders that conflict with the Tennessee Constitution or suspend procedural legal requirements.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 58, Chapter 2, relative to emergency powers of the governor.
Bill sponsors
House co-sponsors · 19
Bud Hulsey R, Todd Warner R, Jeff Burkhart R, Kip Capley R, Dan Howell R, Monty Fritts R, Chris Hurt R, Brock Martin R, Greg Martin R, Elaine Davis R, Michelle Carringer R, Debra Moody R, Jody Barrett R, Michele Reneau R, Jake McCalmon R, Jay Reedy R, Jason Zachary R, Clay Doggett R, Mike Sparks R
Senate co-sponsors · 2
Paul Bailey R, Dawn White R
TLRC statement
This bill limits the emergency powers of the governor, ensuring that executive orders, proclamations, and rules issued during a state of emergency cannot override, suspend, or conflict with the Tennessee Constitution. This bill is a necessary step in reining in executive authority and restoring checks and balances in Tennessee’s government.
Under current law, the governor has broad powers to suspend laws, regulations, and procedures under the justification of an emergency. HB 324 / SB 27 removes the ability to suspend constitutional rights and establishes clear limitations on the governor’s emergency powers. This prevents overreach like we saw during COVID-19, when emergency declarations led to restrictions on businesses, individual freedoms, and religious gatherings.
By passing this legislation, Tennessee ensures that no future governor can use emergency powers to infringe on constitutional liberties. This bill upholds the rule of law, strengthens legislative oversight, and prevents unilateral executive actions from eroding Tennesseans’ freedoms.