Tennessee Code Title 58. Military Affairs, Emergencies and Civil Defense § 58-9-102

(1) Accept grants, contributions and appropriations from public agencies, private foundations or individuals;

(2) Appoint committees from its membership, appoint advisory committees from interested public and private groups, and appoint ex officio members, to advise the commission, who shall not be entitled to vote;

(3) Contract for or employ, subject to appropriations made for that purpose, any professional and research services required by the commission or required for the performance of necessary work and services that, in the commission's opinion, cannot satisfactorily be performed by its officers and employees or by other federal, state or local governmental agencies;

(4) Enter into agreements to act cooperatively with private nonprofit scientific, educational or professional associations or foundations engaged in promoting seismic safety in Tennessee; and

(5) Do any and all other things necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.