Tennessee House Bill HB1677

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/24
• Refer: 1/10/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 12, relative to publications.

Impact

The primary impact of HB1677 will be felt in how state agencies produce and distribute their publications. With the introduction of an authorization number that must be affixed to approved publications, the bill intends to mitigate unauthorized or unregulated distribution of state materials. The commissioner of general services is given significant authority to oversee the review and approval of these publications, ensuring adherence to newly established design and branding requirements. This centralization could lead to increased efficiency in state communications but may also create bureaucracy that could slow down the publication process.

Summary

House Bill 1677 seeks to amend certain sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 4 and Title 12, which pertain to state publications. The bill primarily focuses on establishing new rules for the printing and distribution of various state-produced materials, including newsletters, reports, and other documentation intended for public dissemination. By laying out these guidelines, the bill aims to centralize and streamline processes around state publications, thereby enhancing the consistency and compliance in public communications from different governmental agencies.

Contention

Discussion around HB1677 may raise some points of contention, particularly regarding the balance of oversight versus accessibility in state communications. Advocates may argue that the proposed measures increase accountability and uniformity in state-produced materials, which can enhance the public’s trust in government communications. On the contrary, critics might raise concerns regarding potential overreach by the commissioner and the implications of stringent controls on the distribution of important public information. Additionally, there may be apprehension about how these changes could affect smaller entities or committees that rely on state publications for outreach and engagement.

Notable_points

Among notable aspects of HB1677, the bill explicitly excludes certain categories such as student newspapers and publications from institutions of higher education, which highlights the lawmakers' intent to focus more on official state agency communications. The bill's provision for creating an authorization process places significant power within the state’s general services department, creating a centralized approval mechanism that could reshape how information is shared with the public moving forward.