TN Bill Aims To Allow Citizens More Opportunities To Speak At School Board Meetings
Photo: During a specially-called meeting of the Wilson County School Board on August 24, 2021, members of the public were not allowed to speak. Pictured are Linda Armistead, Jeff Luttrell and Larry Tomlinson. Photo Credit: Paula Gomes
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
A new companion set of bills introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly seeks to require school boards to allow at least ten people to speak during public meetings.
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House Bill 1880 (HB1880), sponsored by Representative Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro-District 34) and Senate Bill 1830 (SB1830) sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28), as introduced would require local boards of education to provide an opportunity for at least 10 people to speak on any topic related to the board for at least three minutes per person at each public meeting and to provide an opportunity for people to submit written public comments to the board.Â
The bill would amend Tennessee Code – TCA Title 8, Chapter 44 and Title 49, Chapter 2.
HB1880 has been introduced as of 1/24/22.
SB1830 has been introduced and was Passed on First Consideration as of 1/24/22.
Once the companion bills go through the legislative process and are signed by Governor Bill Lee, they are scheduled to go into law immediately.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
