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NASHVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)– The Tennessee House of Representatives approved legislation Tuesday to support families of electrical linemen who are killed in the line of duty.
The Chance Carlton Act, sponsored by State Representative Dennis Powers, R-Jacksboro, adds electrical linemen to the list of first responders whose families are eligible to receive $250,000 in payments over a five-year period to help ease financial burdens following their loved one’s death.
“When severe weather hits and conditions are at their worst, linemen are often the first to head out the door to restore power and keep our communities going,” Powers said. “This legislation ensures that if a lineman is killed in the line of duty, their family is cared for and does not have to face additional financial strain while grieving the loss of a loved one.”
Tennessee currently provides this benefit to families of law enforcement officers, firefighters and volunteer rescue squad members.
Chance Carlton, (above) a 32-year-old from Carroll County, died last April while working to restore power following a severe storm, leaving behind a wife and two young daughters.
Under the proposal, the estate of any electrical lineman employed by or contracted with a local government in Tennessee who is killed in the line of duty would be eligible to receive these payments.
The companion version of House Bill 1464 is expected to be heard for a vote in the Senate this week.
If enacted, the legislation would take effect on July 1 and apply to work-related deaths occurring on or after that date.
Dennis Powers represents District 36 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes Campbell, Union and part of Claiborne counties. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/22/2026-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)