By Todd Hatton
Murray, KY – A push to dilute Tennessee's open meetings law is based on a misunderstanding of restrictions now on the books, an open government advocate said. The Tennessee County Commissioners Association is spearheading an effort to get the General Assembly to amend the Sunshine Law and allow members of government bodies to discuss public affairs in private, as long as the discussion involves less than a quorum. The law currently forbids two or more officials on a local legislative body, such as a county commission or city council, from meeting privately to deliberate on government matters. At least two counties have endorsed the effort, and Sullivan County and Unicoi County commissioners are scheduled to take up the issue Monday.
Sullivan County Commissioner Bill Kilgore, a board member for the statewide county association, introduced the resolution. He told the Bristol Herald Courier that he can't discuss a proposed piece of legislation over the phone with another commissioner without violating the law.