Gov. Bill Lee has announced a special legislative session to convene on Jan. 27. The session will focus on advancing his school voucher bill, as well as disaster relief funding and immigration issues, The Tennessean reports. This will be Lee’s seventh special legislative session since taking office in 2019, more than any other governor in state history according to the paper. Lee’s voucher proposal failed last year. A special session, which allows lawmakers to focus solely on topics designated by the governor, could clear the way for the bill’s passage. Regarding immigration issues, the governor’s office said he is asking the General Assembly to consider “public safety” measures to ensure the state is prepared for federal policy implementation. Read the governor's full statement.

Congress is putting another $100 billion into disaster relief funding, the Associated Press reports. The funds include $29 million for FEMA to help those recovering from recent hurricanes, $21 billion to help farmers, $12 billion for community recovery through Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants, $8 billion for rebuilding damaged roads and highways, and $2.2 billion for low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits and homeowners trying to rebuild after a disaster. The funding is in a bill to keep the government operating through March 14, 2025. President Joe Biden signed it into law on Saturday.

The Washington County Long Term Recovery Group — a community-led group working to assist those impacted by Hurricane Helene — is putting together an advocacy committee of volunteer attorneys to be a resource to case managers working with affected individuals. As case managers identify legal issues, they will refer those to the advocacy committee. Practioners in a range of fields are invited to participate. For more information or to join the effort contact Melissa Reading, 423-794-4009. The Washington County Bar Association announced the new group in an email today.

The Biden administration on Friday made additional disaster assistance available to the state of Tennessee for debris removal and emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of Hurricane Helene. The action increases the level of federal funding from 75% to 100% of the total eligible costs for a period of 120 days — of the state’s choosing — within the first 180 days from the start of the incident on Sept. 26. For individual assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reporting that it has approved more than $21.9 million for 6,327 Tennessee households affected by the storm, according to WBIR News. Residents in upper East Tennessee have until Jan. 7, 2025, to apply for FEMA assistance.

In an email from the Washington County Bar Association, Erwin attorney Lois B. Shults-Davis writes about the continuing needs of East Tennessee residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. She notes that at least four law officers have lost their homes and/or vehicles; one former longtime EMS worker lost his home; at least one court worker lost a home; and multiple attorneys in Elizabethton had flood damage to their offices. She praises the support that has been “poured on Unicoi, Carter and Washington counties” and asks colleagues to consider donating an hour, day, week or more of income to the Unicoi County Bar Association to continue revitalization efforts. The association will make resources available to those who have sustained substantial loss of homes, cars and businesses. Read the full message or contact Shults-Davis at 423-743-9179 for more information.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Tuesday it would call for an Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation into an employee who directed personnel to bypass houses with Trump campaign signs during the federal response to Hurricane Milton. According to The Hill, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell testified before Congress that the employee was fired for issuing the order, which she called “completely at odds with FEMA’s mission.” The fired employee told media on Monday that she has been framed and denied violating the Hatch Act, which restricts political activity by government employees. Earlier this month, Gov. Bill Lee announced plans to investigate whether Tennesseans were discriminated against during FEMA's relief efforts following damage in the state from Hurricane Helene.

Gov. Bill Lee announced in a press release an extension of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance program application deadline for Tennessee residents affected by Tropical Storm Helene. Survivors now have until Jan. 7, 2025, to apply for federal disaster assistance. Survivors in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties are eligible to apply for Individual Assistance to cover temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. Survivors can apply for Individual Assistance online or can call 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to midnight EDT with multilingual operators available.

Gov. Bill Lee announced that he and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti will investigate whether Tennesseans were discriminated against during relief work by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. According to WSMV, the investigation follows a report that one of FEMA's employees advised her disaster relief team to avoid homes displaying signs supporting President-elect Donald Trump in Florida after Hurricane Milton. A FEMA spokesperson said the agency is “deeply disturbed by this employee’s actions,” and the incident is under investigation.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has extended a limited disaster plan for all the trial courts in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Judicial Districts following severe flooding that occurred in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Deadlines for filings, statutes of limitation and certain court orders that were extended through Nov. 12 are now extended through Dec. 25. Read the full order.

TBA's BarBuzz podcast is back with a new episode featuring legal aid leaders Laura Brown, Debra House and Nick Gau as they share insight on access to justice, disaster relief efforts, and the impact of pro bono services on communities as a wrap up to October's Celebrate Pro Bono Month. The episode also explores opportunities for lawyers to get involved in pro bono work and disaster relief efforts, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. BarBuzz is a monthly show that recaps legal happenings from across Tennessee, upcoming events at the bar, attorney shout outs and more. It is available on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts. Find past episodes at the BarBuzz archive.