AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 8, Chapter 44, relative to meetings conducted with electronic participation.
If enacted, this bill will significantly impact how local government meetings are conducted in Tennessee, allowing greater flexibility for members to participate even when they are unable to attend in person. It stipulates that a maximum of three members, or 20% of the legislative body, can participate electronically, ensuring that a physical quorum is present for the meeting. This change could enhance participation rates among legislators by accommodating exceptional circumstances that might otherwise prevent attendance.
House Bill 0152 aims to amend various titles and chapters of the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding meetings conducted with electronic participation. The bill allows members of county and municipal legislative bodies to attend meetings remotely through electronic means, including videoconferencing. This participation is contingent on a two-thirds majority vote by the legislative body and is limited to specific circumstances such as family or medical emergencies, military service calls, or inclement weather preventing in-person attendance. Moreover, it sets a cap on the number of members who may participate electronically at any given time.
Notable points of contention regarding HB 0152 may arise from concerns about transparency and accountability in legislative processes. While the bill requires real-time audio or video access for the public, critics may argue that electronic participation can diminish the quality of engagement during discussions and decision-making. Additionally, the restriction on how often a member can attend meetings electronically (limited to two times per year) may be viewed as too restrictive by those advocating for more expansive remote participation policies, particularly in light of the ongoing shifts toward digital communication.