requests Archives - Page 5 of 11 - Tennessee Coalition for Open Government

28 Feb, 2017

Email bill rolls one week in House committee

By Deborah Fisher|2017-03-05T14:47:46-06:00February 28, 2017|Categories: Legislature, requests|Tags: legislature, requests by email, State Rep. Courtney Rogers, State Sen. Mike Bell|0 Comments

A bill that would require government entities to accept public records requests they receive by email, if they already use email as an official mode of communication, was rolled a second week in the House State Government Committee. See Knoxville News Sentinel editorial: Bill would make public records access easier The email bill, HB58, had already passed out of subcommittee. An amendment was filed by the sponsor, state Rep. Courtney Rogers, R-Goodlettsville, to be considered during the full committee meeting. The amendment added a section aimed at what government entities have sometimes complained are frivolous requests. Here is what was added: (a) If a person makes two (2) or more consecutive [...]

27 Feb, 2017

Editorial: Bill would make public records access easier

By Deborah Fisher|2017-02-27T18:18:13-06:00February 27, 2017|Categories: Legislature, requests|Tags: Knoxville News Sentinel, legislature, public records requests, requests by email|0 Comments

From the Knoxville News Sentinel Editorial Board, on a bill to make public records access easier: A legislative effort to make it easier for Tennesseans to file public records requests deserves the full-throated support of all who value open government. A bill that would clarify what constitutes a written public records request recently received the approval of a key House panel and is on track to become law during this session. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Courtney Rogers, R-Goodlettsville, would require records custodians that accept requests for documents in writing “to accept a handwritten request submitted in person or by mail, an email request, or a request on an [...]

16 Feb, 2017

With some pushback, House subcommittee passes bill to allow public records requests by email

By Deborah Fisher|2017-02-16T10:41:23-06:00February 16, 2017|Categories: Legislature, requests|Tags: public records requests, requests by email, State Rep. Bill Sanderson, State Rep. Bob Ramsey, State Rep. Bud Hulsey, State Rep. Courtney Rogers, State Rep. Darren Jernigan, Sumner County School Board|0 Comments

The House State Government Subcommittee passed with a voice vote on Wednesday a bill that would clarify the public records statutes to say that citizens could use email to send in their records requests if a government entity already uses email to conduct government business. The requirement would not apply if the government entity does not use email as an "official mode of communication" in recognition that some small or rural government entities may not have or use email. State Rep. Courtney Rogers, R-Goodlettsville The bill's sponsor, Courtney Rogers, R-Goodlettsville, said the purpose of the bill (HB 58 / SB 464) is to eliminate any ambiguity in the law, and [...]

10 Feb, 2017

Legislation would require government to accept records requests via email

By Deborah Fisher|2017-02-10T10:14:30-06:00February 10, 2017|Categories: Legislature, requests|Tags: public records requests, requests by email, State Rep. Courtney Rogers, State Sen. Mike Bell, Sumner County School Board|0 Comments

State Rep. Courtney Rogers, R-Goodlettsville State Rep. Courtney Rogers, R-Goodlettsville, has filed a bill that would end the practice of some government entities in Tennessee refusing to accept public records requests by email. The legislation, which is being carried in the Senate by Mike Bell, R-Riceville, says that "Requests (to see public records) may be submitted by all official modes of communication, including in person, telephone, fax, email, or other electronic means." If a request for copies is required to be in writing, citizens may submit a handwritten request or send a request by email or fill out a form, but the government entity has to provide the form [...]

20 Jan, 2017

Office of Open Records Counsel finalizes model public records policy

By Deborah Fisher|2017-01-20T16:56:25-06:00January 20, 2017|Categories: Office of Open Records Counsel, requests|Tags: fees for public records, model public records policy, Office of Open Records Counsel, photos of public records, public records requests|1 Comment

The Office of Open Records Counsel has published a new model public records policy that can be used by government entities in establishing records policies, which are required by law this year. A new law mandates that all government entities in the state establish a public records policy by July 1, 2017. The policies must include the name of entity's public records request coordinator and include information about requesting public records and any fees. Open Records Counsel Ann Butterworth The model policy developed by the Open Records Counsel, along with updated Best Practices & Guidelines, includes many of the same principles and advice given previously by the office. But [...]