Proposed bills seek to clarify, change law related to government settlement agreements
A collection of bills introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly are aimed at clarifying or changing parts of the law surrounding government settlement agreements. Government entities are prohibited from entering into confidential settlement agreements. The Court of Appeals has said that “a governmental entity cannot enter into confidentiality agreements with regard to public records. The idea of entering into confidentiality agreements with respect to public records is repugnant to and would thwart the purpose of the (Tennessee Public Records) Act." (Contemporary Media v. City of Memphis, 1999.) Lawmakers have filed at least three separate sets of bills: State Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville. Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, and Rep. [...]