Carroll County lineman Chance Carlton will be remembered for many things.
To his family, a loving husband and father who never left the house without saying “I love you.” To his friends and coworkers, a humble man who always answered the call. To the community, a man of faith and service.
Now, he will be remembered by linemen across the state of Tennessee as the reason they are recognized as first responders.
The Chance Carlton Bill passed both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly last week without a single dissenting vote, not in subcommittee, not in committee, not on the floor of either the House or Senate. It now awaits only the signature of Governor Bill Lee.
Carlton was 32 years old when he was killed in April 2025 while working to restore power for Carroll County following a severe storm. He left behind his wife, Samantha, and two young daughters, Landry and Ellsie.
In the weeks after his funeral, Samantha Carlton and Chance’s best friend, Kyle East, began talking through what came next. She met with the linemen at Carroll County Electric Department and made them a promise that she would do whatever it took to make their world better, and to look after their families.
What she and East noticed was a gap in state law. Tennessee linemen were not recognized as first responders, meaning their families had no access to the kind of death benefits afforded to law enforcement officers, firefighters and rescue squad members.
That conversation led to a call to State Rep. Brock Martin, which led to discussions with Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) and Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon), and eventually to HB1464 — the Chance Carlton Bill.
The road through the legislature was not without its anxious moments.
Samantha lobbied committee members personally, posted updates on social media urging constituents to call their representatives, and testified before the House State and Local Government Committee in March.
The bill cleared every hurdle unanimously.
Under the act, the family of an electrical lineman employed by a municipality, county, utility district or other local governmental entity who dies in the line of duty during a declared state of emergency would receive an annual annuity of $50,000 for five years.
Samantha Carlton described the final week in Nashville as a “whirlwind.”
After the Senate passed the bill on April 22, she said she was “honestly speechless.”
“Look what God has done,” she added.
If signed by Gov. Lee, the Chance Carlton Act takes effect July 1, 2026.
