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SB1037 • 2026

Open Meetings

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 44, relative to public meetings.

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Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Bowling, Reneau
Last action
2025-04-02
Official status
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 5, Nays 4 PNV 0
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details on how this change will impact public access to meeting plans or the efficiency of approving them, leaving these points uncertain.

Increasing Time for Approval of Meeting Plans

This bill changes the time limit from 30 to 45 days for the Office of Open Records Counsel to acknowledge and approve plans submitted by governing bodies about using electronic communication in their meetings.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the time limit from 30 days to 45 days for the Office of Open Records Counsel to acknowledge and approve a plan submitted by a governing body.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Governing bodies that submit plans for approval.
  • The Office of Open Records Counsel responsible for reviewing these plans.

Terms To Know

governing body
A group with authority to make decisions or manage an organization, like a city council or school board.
electronic communication requirements
Rules about using technology, such as the internet, for meetings and discussions.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if the Office of Open Records Counsel takes longer than 45 days to review a plan.
  • It is unclear how this change will affect public access to meeting plans or the efficiency of approving them.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Amendment 1-0 to HB0845

Plain English: The amendment changes how Tennessee governing bodies handle public comments and rebuttals during meetings by setting rules on time limits for speakers and allowing written submissions if there are too many people wanting to speak.

  • Governing bodies can set reasonable restrictions on the period for public comment, including limiting the number of speakers and their speaking times.
  • If a large number of people want to speak, governing bodies may waive or change these restrictions.
  • Written comments from those who cannot speak due to time limits will be accepted and included in the meeting record.
  • The amendment does not specify how 'reasonable' restrictions are defined beyond considering the number of people wanting to comment.
Amendment 1-0 to SB1037

Plain English: The amendment changes how Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-44-112, handles public comments and rebuttals during meetings by allowing governing bodies to set reasonable restrictions on these activities.

  • Governing bodies can now place limits on the time for public comment and rebuttal, including setting a limit on how long each person can speak or the number of speakers allowed.
  • The amendment allows governing bodies to waive or change restrictions if many people want to give comments but cannot due to existing limitations.
  • It also permits written submissions from those who do not get a chance to speak during the meeting, with guidelines for submitting and incorporating these into the public record.
  • The amendment does not specify how governing bodies should ensure fair representation of opposing viewpoints or what constitutes 'reasonable restrictions'.

Bill History

  1. 2025-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Failed in State & Local Government Committee

  2. 2025-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 5, Nays 4 PNV 0

  3. 2025-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 4/9/2025

  4. 2025-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 4/9/2025

  5. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 4/2/2025

  6. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 4/2/2025

  7. 2025-03-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  8. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 4/1/2025

  9. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 4/2/2025

  10. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 4/2/2025

  11. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/26/2025

  12. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee

  13. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Public Service Subcommittee for 3/19/2025

  14. 2025-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Public Service Subcommittee

  15. 2025-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to State & Local Government Committee

  16. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee

  17. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  18. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  19. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  20. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  21. 2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 845
By Reneau

SENATE BILL 1037
By Bowling

SB1037
002669
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8,
Chapter 44, relative to public meetings.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-44-109(c), is amended by deleting
"thirty (30) days" and substituting "forty-five (45) days".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.