Image Credit: TN General Assembly & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
State Representative Elaine Davis (R-Knoxville) is a strong advocate for citizen participation at public meetings where policy decisions are made. She understands the value of good ideas that are brought to public meetings by everyday citizens on the operation of their government and needs your help in getting a new law passed.
As a former Knox County Commissioner, Davis recalled the many great ideas that her constituents expressed during the public comment section of the meeting agenda.
Interviewed for this news report, she commented as follows.
“I remember the amazing ideas that our citizens brought to commission meetings when I served. We always had time on the agenda to hear from those people we represented, and they often came up with new ideas that we had not thought of. There are some boards in the state that do not have time set aside for citizen input. That is why I am bringing legislation to give citizens increased opportunity to speak at public meetings.” – said Representative Elaine Davis
One year ago, Davis was successful in persuading the legislature to enact a new law that required a period of time for public comment on actionable items that appear on the meeting agenda of public bodies.
Even though her bill became law during the 2024 session, it left a deficit because public bodies and governing boards were not required to allow public input on matters of government operation not appearing on the meeting agenda.
This legislative session, now in progress, Davis is proposing House Bill 22 which will dramatically improve public input opportunity.
HB22 states in part, “(a) A governing body shall, for each public meeting, reserve a period for public comment to provide the public with the opportunity to comment: (1) On matters that are germane to the items on the agenda for the meeting; and (2) On any matter that is germane to the jurisdiction of the governing body, regardless of whether such matter is an item on the agenda for the meeting.”
Even though the Constitution of the State of Tennessee Article 1 § 23 states as follows, “That the citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes, by address or remonstrance” there are public bodies, especially school boards, that do not allow public comment on general matters of department operation.
Call to Action
Please contact members of the House Public Service Subcommittee to support HB22.
Contact information for subcommittee members can be found below.
Rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeff.burkhart@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov, rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
