Legislature

20 Feb, 2023

Proposed law would require public comment periods

By |2023-02-20T10:02:07-06:00February 20, 2023|Categories: Legislature, public comment|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Public comment periods would be required at governing body meetings under a bill filed by Knoxville state representative Elaine Davis and Calhoun senator Adam Lowe. The bill allows governing body members to set rules around public comment periods, such as limiting the amount of time of the period and the amount of time of each speaker. The bill requires a public comment period for citizens to comment on items "that are germane to the items on the agenda for the meeting."

30 Jan, 2023

Citizens deserve access to police video even when people don’t die

By |2023-01-30T18:09:54-06:00January 30, 2023|Categories: crime records, Legislature|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments

If the video footage from the Tyre Nichols beating in Memphis tells us anything, it’s that we need to keep protecting the tools that allow public accountability for corruption.

24 Jan, 2023

Bill would allow local governing body members to attend meetings electronically

By |2023-01-24T10:26:35-06:00January 24, 2023|Categories: Legislature, Open Meetings|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

Members of county and city legislative bodies in Tennessee would be able to attend meetings electronically, such as by videoconference or phone, when dealing with a family or medical emergency under a bill filed by a pair of lawmakers from Knox County. Sen. Richard Briggs and Rep. Dave Wright sponsored similar legislation in 2021, which failed in a House committee.

11 Jan, 2023

Bill seeks to give citizens better access to meeting agendas, material

By |2023-04-11T10:57:30-05:00January 11, 2023|Categories: Legislature, meeting agenda|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

A proposed bill would improve citizen access to meeting agendas and board packets before public meeting by requiring they be publicly accessible, such as on a government website, for 48 hours before the meeting. The bill would also require that agendas "clearly describe the matters to be discussed" in an effort to avoid vague references to potential action.

11 Jan, 2023

Big transparency move: Citizens get new public dashboard for House bills

By |2023-01-11T13:09:32-06:00January 11, 2023|Categories: Legislature|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments

In a major step toward more timely transparency, House Speaker Cameron Sexton announced a new public dashboard that gives citizens red-lined versions of bills and proposed amendments at the same time House members get them.

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