Local Government, General

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify which types of public notices will be affected by these changes, leaving some uncertainty about what specific notices are covered under this act.

Act Allowing Local Governments to Publish Notices Online

This bill allows local governments in Tennessee to publish certain notices online instead of in newspapers starting from July 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

• Allows local governments to post public notices electronically if they follow specific rules.
• Requires local governments to pass an ordinance or resolution about when and how electronic notices will be posted.
• Requires local governments to create a policy for posting electronic notices that ensures security, clear timeframes, and standard formats.
• Permits third-party websites to charge fees for hosting public notice postings.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local government entities in Tennessee
• Residents of Tennessee who receive public notices

Terms To Know

Public Notice

A legal requirement to inform the public about important decisions or actions by a local government.

Third-party Website

An online platform owned and operated by someone other than the local government that can host electronic notices.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much it will cost to implement these changes.
• It is unclear what specific types of public notices are covered under this act.
• TACIR must study and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of current notice methods.

Official Summary Text

Throughout Tennessee Code Annotated, there are several instances in which a public notice or legal notice is required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation. Beginning July 1, 2027, this bill authorizes a local government to satisfy such
requirement to publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation if the local government publishes the required notice electronically online, either by the local government or a third party. Electronic public notice systems must provide easy, equita
bl
e, and barrier-free access for all users across commonly used platforms and be accessible to the public free of charge.

In order to utilize electronic publication for a required notice, this bill requires a local government to (i) pass an ordinance or resolution detailing the date electronic publication of notices will begin, how the public can access the notices, and wha
t types of notices will be published electronically and (ii) adopt a policy governing the posting of notices electronically. The policy must meet all of the following requirements:



Ensure the security, reliability, integrity, and maintenance of the system and published notices and records to verify compliance with public notice requirements.


Specify clear, legally compliant timeframes that govern the posting, archiving, and retention of public notices and related records.


Standardize a legally compliant format and appearance for electronically published notices, including supplemental information that may be posted with such notices.

This bill authorizes operators of third-party websites permitting local governments to post electronic notices on the third party's website to charge a reasonable fee for such service.

ON APRIL 13, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2450, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 r
ewrites this bill to
require
TACIR
to:

(1)

Study whether
newspapers of general circulation remain the most efficient and effective manner for governments to provide the public with transparent and accessible information. This study must also examine how the efficiency of public notice methods has changed histo
rically
;

(
2
)
Study h
ow the public has historically obtained its news and information compared to today
;

(
3
)
Examine
the ability of government entities to create public notice systems
;

(4) R
eview all governmental and public entities' notice requirements and practices to determine how much taxpayer money is used to meet newspaper publication requirements
;

(5) C
onsider how the availability of broadband access across the states may affect the publication of online public notices
;

(6) R
eview public notice practices in other states and any available trends or advances in technology
;

(7) C
onsult with interested parties regarding the subject of
publication of notices; and

(
8
) Upon completion of the study required by this
amendment
, report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the chair of the state and local government committee of the senate, the chair of the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over subject matters pert
aining to state and local government, and the legislative librarian.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 2450
By Powers

HOUSE BILL 2114
By Crawford
HB2114
011934
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1,
Chapter 3 and Title 8, Chapter 44, relative to
public notices.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 1-3-120, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:
(g)
(1) Beginning July 1, 2027, the requirement to publish a notice in a
newspaper of general circulation may be satisfied by a local government
publishing the required notice electronically online, either by the local
government or a third party. Electronic public notice systems must provide easy,
equitable, and barrier-free access for all users across commonly used platforms.
(2) In order to utilize electronic publication for a required notice, a local
government shall:
(A) Pass an ordinance or resolution detailing the date electronic
publication of notices will begin, how the public can access the notices,
and what types of notices will be published electronically; and
(B) Adopt a policy governing the posting of notices electronically.
(3) The electronic online publications made under this subsection (g)
must be accessible to the public free of charge.
(4) An electronic public notice system policy adopted under subdivision
(g)(2)(B) must:

- 2 - 011934

(A) Ensure the security, reliability, integrity, and maintenance of
the system and published notices and records to verify compliance with
public notice requirements;
(B) Specify clear, legally compliant timeframes that govern the
posting, archiving, and retention of public notices and related records;
and
(C) Standardize a legally compliant format and appearance for
electronically published notices, including supplemental information that
may be posted with such notices.
(5) Operators of third-party websites permitting local governments to post
electronic notices on the third party's website may charge a reasonable fee for
such service.
(6) A public notice that is specifically required by law to be published in a
newspaper or periodical of general circulation must be published in compliance
with such law.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect on July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.