TennesseeTennessee law brings emergency communications district boards under open meetings rules
The law brings certain emergency communications district boards within the open meetings law, which sets rules for how covered boards hold meetings.
What it does
Certain emergency communications district boards fall within the open meetings law’s definition of a “governing body.” This places them within the law’s rules for public meetings.
Argument forIncluding these boards under the open meetings law could give directors a way to participate electronically when attending in person is difficult.
Argument againstIncluding these boards in the open meetings law could limit how they conduct meetings, which may make it harder to arrange director participation.
More detail
The law includes certain emergency communications district boards in the open meetings law’s definition of a “governing body.” It covers emergency communications district boards of directors assisted by the emergency communications board created by state law. The act took effect when it became law in May 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1099Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 29Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 75, Nays 6, PNV 0Passed House
- Mar 12Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 9Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/9/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 6Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/9/2026
- Mar 3Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/3/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/3/2026
- Feb 24Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
- Feb 17Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 2/24/2026
- Feb 2Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Jan 22Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 21Filed for introductionIntroduced
Government & Ethics