(a) In addition to prevention measures included in the state and local comprehensive emergency management plans, the governor shall consider, on a continuing basis, steps that could be taken to mitigate the harmful consequences of emergencies. At the governor’s direction, state agencies, including, but not limited to, those charged with responsibilities in connection with flood plain management, stream encroachment and flow regulation, weather modification, fire prevention and control, air quality, public works, land use and land use planning, and construction standards, shall make studies of emergency mitigation-related matters. The governor, from time to time, shall make such recommendations to the general assembly, local governments, and other appropriate public and private entities as may facilitate measures for mitigation of the harmful consequences of emergencies.
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 58-2-116

  • Agency: means the Tennessee emergency management agency (TEMA). See Tennessee Code 58-2-101
  • Emergency: means an occurrence, or threat thereof, whether natural, technological, or manmade, in war or in peace, that results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the population, or substantial damage to or loss of property. See Tennessee Code 58-2-101
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Political subdivision: means any municipality or county, including any county having metropolitan form of government, created pursuant to law. See Tennessee Code 58-2-101
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) The appropriate state departments or agencies, in conjunction with TEMA, shall continually study the plans, uses and construction of structures and other facilities and identify areas which are particularly susceptible to severe land shifting, subsidence, flood, or other catastrophic occurrence, manmade or natural. The studies under this subsection (b) shall concentrate on means of reducing or avoiding the dangers caused by these occurrences or the consequences thereof.
(c) If TEMA believes, on the basis of the studies or other competent evidence, that:

(1) An area is susceptible to an emergency of catastrophic proportions without adequate warning;
(2) Existing building standards and land use controls in that area are inadequate and could add substantially to the magnitude of the emergency; and
(3) Changes in zoning regulations, other land use regulations, or building requirements are essential in order to further the purposes of this section, the agency shall specify the essential changes to the governor. If the governor, upon review of the recommendation, finds, after public hearing that changes are essential, the governor shall so recommend to the agencies or political subdivision with jurisdiction over the area and subject matter. If no action, or insufficient action, pursuant to the governor’s recommendations is taken within the time specified by the governor, the governor shall so inform the general assembly and request legislative action appropriate to mitigate the impact of such an emergency.
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