Emergency Powers

The bill aimed to prevent government officials from declaring certain lawful occupations as non-essential during a state emergency. It also allowed individuals who were harmed by such declarations to sue for damages. Ultimately, the bill did not pass.

TN SB1048 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Janince Bowling (R), currently “Failed” since March 25, 2026.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 101 of them sponsored by Janince Bowling.

Supporters of the bill would argue that it protects the rights of workers and businesses during emergencies, ensuring that all lawful occupations can continue to operate. They would emphasize the importance of economic stability and personal freedom in times of crisis.

Critics of the bill would contend that it undermines public safety by limiting the government's ability to respond effectively to emergencies. They might argue that allowing all occupations to operate without restrictions could pose health risks during critical situations like pandemics.

The bill SB1048 seeks to amend Tennessee's emergency powers by preventing the categorization of lawful occupations as non-essential during a state emergency. The sponsor, Janince Bowling, is a former educator and businesswoman, and currently serves as a Tennessee State Senator. There are no direct overlaps between her personal financial interests and the industries affected by this bill, which primarily concerns emergency management and worker safety. As such, there is no indication that the bill would provide any personal financial gain to the sponsor or create a conflict of interest based on her documented interests.

Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.

Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.