Image Credit: Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
After a bill officially creating the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security became a part of state law, Governor Lee signed a second separate piece of legislation which allows certain records of the department to be kept confidential and not open to public inspection.
Though Tennessee’s Department of Homeland Security has technically existed since 2003 under an executive order issued by former Gov. Phil Bredesen after the 9/11 attack, SB1880 by Sen. Jack Johnson broadens the department’s investigative authority and authorizes the commissioner to hire agents and non-commissioned personnel to help direct the state’s homeland security operations and work with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Separately, HB1640 exempts certain records about “critical infrastructure and certain homeland security information” from public inspection or disclosure. The records to be kept confidential include those identifying critical infrastructure and threats or attacks against critical infrastructure, threat information related to terrorism, targeted violence, sabotage, or foreign adversary activity, sensitive information received from federal, state, local, and private sector partners, and records regarding threats against the vulnerabilities of public officials.
“This bill is designed to ensure that critical infrastructure and homeland security information voluntarily shared with or by public and private sector stakeholders or collected in the course of official duties by the office of homeland security will be protected from public inspection or disclosure,” said Rep. Rick Eldridge of the bill previously.
The bills drew some criticism from Democrats who claimed the legislation was creating a “secret police” force while advocates for government transparency highlighted some potential issues in keeping records out of public view even after an investigation is completed.
Deborah Fisher, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government said the exemption from the state’s public records law is problematic, especially if the office’s duties are expanded to include cases unrelated to terrorism and officers are given authority to participate in investigations and make statewide arrests.
She previously said in a release that without a clear public benefit for confidentiality, the office could be “deployed in more ways than it has in the past with little transparency or accountability.”
With the Governor’s signature, HB1640 will shortly be in full effect as part of Tennessee law.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
