(a) Except as provided in this section, the requesting party shall pay the responding party all documented costs incurred by the responding party in extending assistance to the requesting party under this chapter. The requesting party is ultimately responsible for reimbursement of all eligible expenses, not to exceed the federal emergency management agency's (FEMA) reimbursement fee schedules.

(b) Eligibility for reimbursement begins immediately upon the declaration of the state of emergency. The responding party is entitled to receive payment for one-half (½) its reimbursable costs for the first six (6) hours of its response after the state of emergency is declared. The responding party is entitled to one hundred percent (100%) reimbursement of eligible costs incurred after six (6) hours are exceeded. Time periods for the response subject to reimbursement shall be calculated from the time the state of emergency is declared or the time the responding party leaves its jurisdiction, whichever occurs later, to the time it returns. Reimbursement of personnel, equipment, and materials and supply costs are all subject to the limitations of this subsection (b).

(c) During the period of assistance, the responding party shall continue to pay its employees according to then-prevailing wages, including benefits and overtime. The requesting party shall reimburse the responding party for all direct and indirect payroll costs, including travel expenses, incurred during the period of assistance, including but not limited to, employee retirement benefits as determined by generally accepted accounting principles. The requesting party is not responsible for reimbursing any amounts paid or due as benefits to responding party's personnel under the terms of the Tennessee Workers' Compensation Act, compiled in title 50, chapter 6.

(d) The requesting party shall reimburse the responding party for the use of its equipment during the period of assistance according to the FEMA fee schedules for hourly rates. For instances in which the costs are reimbursed by FEMA, eligible direct costs shall be determined in accordance with 44 CFR 206.228.

(e) The requesting party shall reimburse the responding party for all material and supplies furnished by it and used or damaged during the period of assistance, except for the cost of equipment, fuel, and maintenance materials, labor, and supplies, which shall be included in the equipment rate unless it is damaged and the damage is caused by the gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, intentional misuse, or recklessness of the responding party's personnel. The measure of reimbursement shall be determined in accordance with 44 CFR Part 13 and applicable office of management and budget (OMB) circulars.

(f) The responding party shall maintain records and submit invoices for reimbursement by the requesting party. For instances in which costs are reimbursed by FEMA, the requesting party must submit requests for reimbursement to the Tennessee emergency management agency (TEMA) on forms required by federal emergency management publications, including 44 CFR Part 13 and applicable OMB circulars. The reimbursement request shall include the certification or level of training of the personnel who responded and the type of equipment that was sent.

(g) The responding party shall forward the reimbursable costs with an itemized invoice to the requesting party as soon as possible, but no later than sixty (60) days after the provision of assistance has ended.

(h) Nonparticipating governmental entities and participating governmental entities that have separate agreements with nonparticipating governmental entities, may by agreement provide for different reimbursement provisions.

(i) The preceding provisions of this section do not apply to aid or assistance provided under § 58-2-113 at the request of TEMA. Reimbursement of costs for aid or assistance provided in these situations is governed by § 58-2-113 and any other applicable provisions of chapter 2 of this title.