Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-10-110 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 10 / Section 3-10-110
Actions to increase public access
Status: in_force

The house of representatives shall take action to improve, enhance, and expand its audio-visual, internet, graphics, captioning, wireless and broadcast capabilities so that public access to its proceedings will increase. Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 44.
The house of representatives shall take action to improve, enhance, and expand its audio-visual, internet, graphics, captioning, wireless and broadcast capabilities so that public access to its proceedings will increase.
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 44.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-103 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 6 / Section 3-6-103
Creation - Composition - Staff - Selection of members - Terms - Meetings
Status: in_force

(a) (1) There is created as a division of the bureau of ethics and campaign finance, as provided in title 4, chapter 55, a Tennessee ethics commission. The commission shall be composed of six (6) members appointed as provided in this section. (2) (A) Appointments shall be made to reflect the broadest possible representation of Tennessee citizens. Of the six (6) members appointed, at least one (1) shall be a female member and one (1) shall be an African-American member. However, an African-American female member shall not satisfy the requirement of one (1) female member and one (1) African-American member. Each member shall: (i) Have been a legal resident of this state for five (5) years immediately preceding selection; (ii) Be at least thirty (30) years of age; (iii) Be a registered voter in Tennessee; (iv) Be a person of high ethical standards who has an active interest in promoting ethics in government; and (v) Not have been convicted of a felony. (B) No person shall be appointed to the commission if the person, or any member of the person's immediate family as defined in § 3-6-301 , is announced as a candidate for public office, holds public office, or is a member of a political party's state executive committee. (b) The members of the ethics commission shall also serve as members of the board of directors of the bureau of ethics and campaign finance. (c) (1) The members of the Tennessee ethics commission shall be selected as follows: (A) The governor shall appoint one (1) member who is a member of the majority party and one (1) member who is a member of the minority party; (B) The speaker of the senate shall appoint one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the majority caucus of the senate and one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the minority caucus of the senate. The speaker of the senate may request a second list of candidates; however, no candidate from the original list of candidates may appear on the second list of candidates. The ethics commission is required to notify in writing the appropriate caucus and speaker within a reasonable time upon the expiration of a member's term or a vacancy occurring. If a caucus fails to give the speaker a list of candidates within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of a vacancy from the ethics commission, receiving written notice of the expiration of a term from the ethics commission, or requesting a second list of candidates, the speaker shall appoint a member of the majority party or member of the minority party, as applicable; and (C) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the majority caucus of the house of representatives and one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the minority caucus of the house of representatives. The speaker of the house of representatives may request a second list of candidates; however, no candidate from the original list of candidates may appear on the second list of candidates. The ethics commission is required to notify in writing the appropriate caucus and speaker within a reasonable time upon the expiration of a member's term or a vacancy occurring. If a caucus fails to give the speaker a list of candidates within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of a vacancy from the ethics commission, receiving written notice of the expiration of a term from the ethics commission, or requesting a second list of candidates, the speaker shall appoint a member of the majority party or member of the minority party, as applicable. (2) Each gubernatorial appointee shall be subject to confirmation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of approval by each house of the general assembly and each legislative appointee shall be subject to confirmation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of approval by the appointing authority's house. If the general assembly is in session when an appointment is made, then the appointment shall be subject to confirmation within ninety (90) days of appointment. If the general assembly is not in session when an appointment is made, the appointment shall be subject to confirmation within ninety (90) days after the general assembly next convenes following the appointment. If an appointee is refused confirmation, or is not confirmed during the ninety-day period, then the appointing authority of the appointee shall select another appointee for confirmation subject to the requirements of this section. In the event of a vacancy, the respective appointing authority shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Notwithstanding this subdivision (c)(2), an appointment to serve on the initial commission shall be made by April 1, 2006. (d) (1) The initial members' terms of office shall commence upon appointment. For purposes of calculating the initial terms of the members' offices, the initial appointments shall be deemed to be made on January 1, 2007. The initial members' terms shall be staggered as follows: (A) The gubernatorial appointees shall serve initial terms of two (2) years; (B) The senate appointees shall serve initial terms of three (3) years; and (C) The house of representatives appointees shall serve initial terms of four (4) years. (2) After the initial terms, members of the commission shall serve four-year terms. (e) The initial chair of the commission shall be appointed by the governor. Every year thereafter the commission shall elect a chair from among its membership. The chair shall serve in that capacity for one (1) year and shall be eligible for reelection. The chair shall preside at all meetings and shall have all the powers and privileges of the other members. (f) The commission shall fix the place and time of its regular meetings by order duly recorded in its minutes. Four (4) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. Except as provided in § 3-6-201 , four (4) affirmative votes are required for any commission action. Special meetings shall be called by the chair on the chair's initiative or upon the written request of three (3) members. Members shall receive written notice three (3) days in advance of a special meeting. Notice shall be served personally or left at a member's usual place of residence and shall specify the purpose, time and place of the meeting. No matters unrelated to the specified purpose may be considered without a specific waiver by all members of the commission. (g) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation; provided, that each member of the commission shall be eligible for reimbursement of expenses and mileage in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the commissioner of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter. (h) No member of the commission or the member's immediate family, as defined in § 3-6-301 , shall during such membership: (1) Be allowed to hold or qualify for elective office to any state or local public office, as defined in § 2-10-102 ; (2) Be an employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state; (3) Be an officer of any political party or political committee; (4) Permit such person's name to be used or make campaign contributions in support of or in opposition to any candidate or proposition, except that a member's immediate family may make campaign contributions in support of or in opposition to any candidate or proposition; (5) Participate in any way in any election campaign; (6) Lobby or employ a lobbyist; or (7) Be employed by any elected officeholder, either in an official capacity or as an individual, or be employed by any business in which an elected officeholder has any direct input concerning employment decisions. (i) An incumbent member of the commission may seek votes for confirmation of the member's appointment to the commission; provided, that the member shall comply with subsection (h). (j) Subsection (h) shall be applicable for one (1) year subsequent to the removal, vacancy or termination of the term of office of a member of the commission. (k) (1) Each member of the commission shall, before they proceed to business, take an oath or affirmation to support the constitution of this state and of the United States and the laws of this state and also the following oath: I ______________ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this commission, I will, in all matters, vote without favor, affection, partiality, or prejudice; and that I will not propose or assent to any action, measure, or resolution which shall appear to me to be contrary to law. (2) Unless otherwise provided by law, any member of the commission who violates the oath of office for the member's position or participates in any of the activities prohibited by this chapter commits a Class A misdemeanor. If a sworn complaint is made pursuant to § 3-6-209 that a member has violated the oath of office for the position, has participated in any of the activities prohibited by this chapter, or has committed actions inconsistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006, Acts 2006, ch. 1 of the extraordinary session of the 104th general assembly, then, upon a unanimous vote of the remaining members, the member against whom the sworn allegation is made may be suspended from the commission for such purposes and for such times as the remaining members shall unanimously determine; but no such suspension shall extend beyond final disposition of the sworn complaint pursuant to § 3-6-209 . The accused member shall not participate in the suspension vote. (l) Each regular meeting agenda must be published on the commission's website at least five (5) business days prior to the date of the meeting. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1087, Sec.s 3, eff. 5/27/2022 and s 29 eff. 7/1/2022. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1087, s 28, eff. 7/1/2022. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 163, Secs.s 1, s 2 eff. 4/18/2019. Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 26; 2009 , ch. 556, §§ 12-14.
(a) (1) There is created as a division of the bureau of ethics and campaign finance, as provided in title 4, chapter 55, a Tennessee ethics commission. The commission shall be composed of six (6) members appointed as provided in this section. (2) (A) Appointments shall be made to reflect the broadest possible representation of Tennessee citizens. Of the six (6) members appointed, at least one (1) shall be a female member and one (1) shall be an African-American member. However, an African-American female member shall not satisfy the requirement of one (1) female member and one (1) African-American member. Each member shall: (i) Have been a legal resident of this state for five (5) years immediately preceding selection; (ii) Be at least thirty (30) years of age; (iii) Be a registered voter in Tennessee; (iv) Be a person of high ethical standards who has an active interest in promoting ethics in government; and (v) Not have been convicted of a felony. (B) No person shall be appointed to the commission if the person, or any member of the person's immediate family as defined in § 3-6-301 , is announced as a candidate for public office, holds public office, or is a member of a political party's state executive committee.
(1) There is created as a division of the bureau of ethics and campaign finance, as provided in title 4, chapter 55, a Tennessee ethics commission. The commission shall be composed of six (6) members appointed as provided in this section.
(2) (A) Appointments shall be made to reflect the broadest possible representation of Tennessee citizens. Of the six (6) members appointed, at least one (1) shall be a female member and one (1) shall be an African-American member. However, an African-American female member shall not satisfy the requirement of one (1) female member and one (1) African-American member. Each member shall: (i) Have been a legal resident of this state for five (5) years immediately preceding selection; (ii) Be at least thirty (30) years of age; (iii) Be a registered voter in Tennessee; (iv) Be a person of high ethical standards who has an active interest in promoting ethics in government; and (v) Not have been convicted of a felony. (B) No person shall be appointed to the commission if the person, or any member of the person's immediate family as defined in § 3-6-301 , is announced as a candidate for public office, holds public office, or is a member of a political party's state executive committee.
(A) Appointments shall be made to reflect the broadest possible representation of Tennessee citizens. Of the six (6) members appointed, at least one (1) shall be a female member and one (1) shall be an African-American member. However, an African-American female member shall not satisfy the requirement of one (1) female member and one (1) African-American member. Each member shall: (i) Have been a legal resident of this state for five (5) years immediately preceding selection; (ii) Be at least thirty (30) years of age; (iii) Be a registered voter in Tennessee; (iv) Be a person of high ethical standards who has an active interest in promoting ethics in government; and (v) Not have been convicted of a felony.
(i) Have been a legal resident of this state for five (5) years immediately preceding selection;
(ii) Be at least thirty (30) years of age;
(iii) Be a registered voter in Tennessee;
(iv) Be a person of high ethical standards who has an active interest in promoting ethics in government; and
(v) Not have been convicted of a felony.
(B) No person shall be appointed to the commission if the person, or any member of the person's immediate family as defined in § 3-6-301 , is announced as a candidate for public office, holds public office, or is a member of a political party's state executive committee.
(b) The members of the ethics commission shall also serve as members of the board of directors of the bureau of ethics and campaign finance.
(c) (1) The members of the Tennessee ethics commission shall be selected as follows: (A) The governor shall appoint one (1) member who is a member of the majority party and one (1) member who is a member of the minority party; (B) The speaker of the senate shall appoint one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the majority caucus of the senate and one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the minority caucus of the senate. The speaker of the senate may request a second list of candidates; however, no candidate from the original list of candidates may appear on the second list of candidates. The ethics commission is required to notify in writing the appropriate caucus and speaker within a reasonable time upon the expiration of a member's term or a vacancy occurring. If a caucus fails to give the speaker a list of candidates within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of a vacancy from the ethics commission, receiving written notice of the expiration of a term from the ethics commission, or requesting a second list of candidates, the speaker shall appoint a member of the majority party or member of the minority party, as applicable; and (C) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the majority caucus of the house of representatives and one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the minority caucus of the house of representatives. The speaker of the house of representatives may request a second list of candidates; however, no candidate from the original list of candidates may appear on the second list of candidates. The ethics commission is required to notify in writing the appropriate caucus and speaker within a reasonable time upon the expiration of a member's term or a vacancy occurring. If a caucus fails to give the speaker a list of candidates within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of a vacancy from the ethics commission, receiving written notice of the expiration of a term from the ethics commission, or requesting a second list of candidates, the speaker shall appoint a member of the majority party or member of the minority party, as applicable. (2) Each gubernatorial appointee shall be subject to confirmation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of approval by each house of the general assembly and each legislative appointee shall be subject to confirmation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of approval by the appointing authority's house. If the general assembly is in session when an appointment is made, then the appointment shall be subject to confirmation within ninety (90) days of appointment. If the general assembly is not in session when an appointment is made, the appointment shall be subject to confirmation within ninety (90) days after the general assembly next convenes following the appointment. If an appointee is refused confirmation, or is not confirmed during the ninety-day period, then the appointing authority of the appointee shall select another appointee for confirmation subject to the requirements of this section. In the event of a vacancy, the respective appointing authority shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Notwithstanding this subdivision (c)(2), an appointment to serve on the initial commission shall be made by April 1, 2006.
(1) The members of the Tennessee ethics commission shall be selected as follows: (A) The governor shall appoint one (1) member who is a member of the majority party and one (1) member who is a member of the minority party; (B) The speaker of the senate shall appoint one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the majority caucus of the senate and one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the minority caucus of the senate. The speaker of the senate may request a second list of candidates; however, no candidate from the original list of candidates may appear on the second list of candidates. The ethics commission is required to notify in writing the appropriate caucus and speaker within a reasonable time upon the expiration of a member's term or a vacancy occurring. If a caucus fails to give the speaker a list of candidates within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of a vacancy from the ethics commission, receiving written notice of the expiration of a term from the ethics commission, or requesting a second list of candidates, the speaker shall appoint a member of the majority party or member of the minority party, as applicable; and (C) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the majority caucus of the house of representatives and one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the minority caucus of the house of representatives. The speaker of the house of representatives may request a second list of candidates; however, no candidate from the original list of candidates may appear on the second list of candidates. The ethics commission is required to notify in writing the appropriate caucus and speaker within a reasonable time upon the expiration of a member's term or a vacancy occurring. If a caucus fails to give the speaker a list of candidates within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of a vacancy from the ethics commission, receiving written notice of the expiration of a term from the ethics commission, or requesting a second list of candidates, the speaker shall appoint a member of the majority party or member of the minority party, as applicable.
(A) The governor shall appoint one (1) member who is a member of the majority party and one (1) member who is a member of the minority party;
(B) The speaker of the senate shall appoint one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the majority caucus of the senate and one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the minority caucus of the senate. The speaker of the senate may request a second list of candidates; however, no candidate from the original list of candidates may appear on the second list of candidates. The ethics commission is required to notify in writing the appropriate caucus and speaker within a reasonable time upon the expiration of a member's term or a vacancy occurring. If a caucus fails to give the speaker a list of candidates within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of a vacancy from the ethics commission, receiving written notice of the expiration of a term from the ethics commission, or requesting a second list of candidates, the speaker shall appoint a member of the majority party or member of the minority party, as applicable; and
(C) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the majority caucus of the house of representatives and one (1) candidate from a list of three (3) candidates submitted by the minority caucus of the house of representatives. The speaker of the house of representatives may request a second list of candidates; however, no candidate from the original list of candidates may appear on the second list of candidates. The ethics commission is required to notify in writing the appropriate caucus and speaker within a reasonable time upon the expiration of a member's term or a vacancy occurring. If a caucus fails to give the speaker a list of candidates within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of a vacancy from the ethics commission, receiving written notice of the expiration of a term from the ethics commission, or requesting a second list of candidates, the speaker shall appoint a member of the majority party or member of the minority party, as applicable.
(2) Each gubernatorial appointee shall be subject to confirmation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of approval by each house of the general assembly and each legislative appointee shall be subject to confirmation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of approval by the appointing authority's house. If the general assembly is in session when an appointment is made, then the appointment shall be subject to confirmation within ninety (90) days of appointment. If the general assembly is not in session when an appointment is made, the appointment shall be subject to confirmation within ninety (90) days after the general assembly next convenes following the appointment. If an appointee is refused confirmation, or is not confirmed during the ninety-day period, then the appointing authority of the appointee shall select another appointee for confirmation subject to the requirements of this section. In the event of a vacancy, the respective appointing authority shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Notwithstanding this subdivision (c)(2), an appointment to serve on the initial commission shall be made by April 1, 2006.
(d) (1) The initial members' terms of office shall commence upon appointment. For purposes of calculating the initial terms of the members' offices, the initial appointments shall be deemed to be made on January 1, 2007. The initial members' terms shall be staggered as follows: (A) The gubernatorial appointees shall serve initial terms of two (2) years; (B) The senate appointees shall serve initial terms of three (3) years; and (C) The house of representatives appointees shall serve initial terms of four (4) years. (2) After the initial terms, members of the commission shall serve four-year terms.
(1) The initial members' terms of office shall commence upon appointment. For purposes of calculating the initial terms of the members' offices, the initial appointments shall be deemed to be made on January 1, 2007. The initial members' terms shall be staggered as follows: (A) The gubernatorial appointees shall serve initial terms of two (2) years; (B) The senate appointees shall serve initial terms of three (3) years; and (C) The house of representatives appointees shall serve initial terms of four (4) years.
(A) The gubernatorial appointees shall serve initial terms of two (2) years;
(B) The senate appointees shall serve initial terms of three (3) years; and
(C) The house of representatives appointees shall serve initial terms of four (4) years.
(2) After the initial terms, members of the commission shall serve four-year terms.
(e) The initial chair of the commission shall be appointed by the governor. Every year thereafter the commission shall elect a chair from among its membership. The chair shall serve in that capacity for one (1) year and shall be eligible for reelection. The chair shall preside at all meetings and shall have all the powers and privileges of the other members.
(f) The commission shall fix the place and time of its regular meetings by order duly recorded in its minutes. Four (4) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. Except as provided in § 3-6-201 , four (4) affirmative votes are required for any commission action. Special meetings shall be called by the chair on the chair's initiative or upon the written request of three (3) members. Members shall receive written notice three (3) days in advance of a special meeting. Notice shall be served personally or left at a member's usual place of residence and shall specify the purpose, time and place of the meeting. No matters unrelated to the specified purpose may be considered without a specific waiver by all members of the commission.
(g) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation; provided, that each member of the commission shall be eligible for reimbursement of expenses and mileage in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the commissioner of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.
(h) No member of the commission or the member's immediate family, as defined in § 3-6-301 , shall during such membership: (1) Be allowed to hold or qualify for elective office to any state or local public office, as defined in § 2-10-102 ; (2) Be an employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state; (3) Be an officer of any political party or political committee; (4) Permit such person's name to be used or make campaign contributions in support of or in opposition to any candidate or proposition, except that a member's immediate family may make campaign contributions in support of or in opposition to any candidate or proposition; (5) Participate in any way in any election campaign; (6) Lobby or employ a lobbyist; or (7) Be employed by any elected officeholder, either in an official capacity or as an individual, or be employed by any business in which an elected officeholder has any direct input concerning employment decisions.
(1) Be allowed to hold or qualify for elective office to any state or local public office, as defined in § 2-10-102 ;
(2) Be an employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state;
(3) Be an officer of any political party or political committee;
(4) Permit such person's name to be used or make campaign contributions in support of or in opposition to any candidate or proposition, except that a member's immediate family may make campaign contributions in support of or in opposition to any candidate or proposition;
(5) Participate in any way in any election campaign;
(6) Lobby or employ a lobbyist; or
(7) Be employed by any elected officeholder, either in an official capacity or as an individual, or be employed by any business in which an elected officeholder has any direct input concerning employment decisions.
(i) An incumbent member of the commission may seek votes for confirmation of the member's appointment to the commission; provided, that the member shall comply with subsection (h).
(j) Subsection (h) shall be applicable for one (1) year subsequent to the removal, vacancy or termination of the term of office of a member of the commission.
(k) (1) Each member of the commission shall, before they proceed to business, take an oath or affirmation to support the constitution of this state and of the United States and the laws of this state and also the following oath: I ______________ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this commission, I will, in all matters, vote without favor, affection, partiality, or prejudice; and that I will not propose or assent to any action, measure, or resolution which shall appear to me to be contrary to law. (2) Unless otherwise provided by law, any member of the commission who violates the oath of office for the member's position or participates in any of the activities prohibited by this chapter commits a Class A misdemeanor. If a sworn complaint is made pursuant to § 3-6-209 that a member has violated the oath of office for the position, has participated in any of the activities prohibited by this chapter, or has committed actions inconsistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006, Acts 2006, ch. 1 of the extraordinary session of the 104th general assembly, then, upon a unanimous vote of the remaining members, the member against whom the sworn allegation is made may be suspended from the commission for such purposes and for such times as the remaining members shall unanimously determine; but no such suspension shall extend beyond final disposition of the sworn complaint pursuant to § 3-6-209 . The accused member shall not participate in the suspension vote.
(1) Each member of the commission shall, before they proceed to business, take an oath or affirmation to support the constitution of this state and of the United States and the laws of this state and also the following oath: I ______________ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this commission, I will, in all matters, vote without favor, affection, partiality, or prejudice; and that I will not propose or assent to any action, measure, or resolution which shall appear to me to be contrary to law.
I ______________ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this commission, I will, in all matters, vote without favor, affection, partiality, or prejudice; and that I will not propose or assent to any action, measure, or resolution which shall appear to me to be contrary to law.
(2) Unless otherwise provided by law, any member of the commission who violates the oath of office for the member's position or participates in any of the activities prohibited by this chapter commits a Class A misdemeanor. If a sworn complaint is made pursuant to § 3-6-209 that a member has violated the oath of office for the position, has participated in any of the activities prohibited by this chapter, or has committed actions inconsistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006, Acts 2006, ch. 1 of the extraordinary session of the 104th general assembly, then, upon a unanimous vote of the remaining members, the member against whom the sworn allegation is made may be suspended from the commission for such purposes and for such times as the remaining members shall unanimously determine; but no such suspension shall extend beyond final disposition of the sworn complaint pursuant to § 3-6-209 . The accused member shall not participate in the suspension vote.
(l) Each regular meeting agenda must be published on the commission's website at least five (5) business days prior to the date of the meeting.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1087, Sec.s 3, eff. 5/27/2022 and s 29 eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1087, s 28, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 163, Secs.s 1, s 2 eff. 4/18/2019.
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 26; 2009 , ch. 556, §§ 12-14.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-1-118 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-1-118
Open meetings - Exceptions - Enforcement
Status: in_force

(a) Every meeting of the general assembly, senate, house of representatives, or any joint committee, standing committee, statutory committee, special committee, select committee, oversight committee, ad hoc committee, any other committee or any subcommittee shall be open to the public. Only when considering a matter involving the security of the state or nation or when investigating a proposed Article V impeachment of a public official other than a member of the general assembly, pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of Tennessee, may a meeting be closed to the public, but only if there is an affirmative vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the members present. Adequate public notice of every meeting shall be provided. The term "meeting" means at least a quorum of the members of a subcommittee, committee, the senate, the house of representatives, or the general assembly is present and public business within the jurisdiction of that body is being deliberated and decided. (b) Procedures for enforcing subsection (a) shall be set forth in the rules of the senate and the rules of the house of representatives. (c) The 104th general assembly recognizes that the appellate courts of Tennessee, in specifically considering the open meetings laws, compiled in title 8, chapter 44, have unequivocally ruled that Article II, § 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee prevents this or any other general assembly from statutorily binding a future general assembly on rules of proceedings. Therefore, this general assembly truthfully acknowledges that subsection (a) can be legally binding only for the duration of the 104th general assembly. However, each future general assembly is strongly encouraged and vigorously urged to adopt rules incorporating provisions no less open than subsection (a). Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 41.
(a) Every meeting of the general assembly, senate, house of representatives, or any joint committee, standing committee, statutory committee, special committee, select committee, oversight committee, ad hoc committee, any other committee or any subcommittee shall be open to the public. Only when considering a matter involving the security of the state or nation or when investigating a proposed Article V impeachment of a public official other than a member of the general assembly, pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of Tennessee, may a meeting be closed to the public, but only if there is an affirmative vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the members present. Adequate public notice of every meeting shall be provided. The term "meeting" means at least a quorum of the members of a subcommittee, committee, the senate, the house of representatives, or the general assembly is present and public business within the jurisdiction of that body is being deliberated and decided.
(b) Procedures for enforcing subsection (a) shall be set forth in the rules of the senate and the rules of the house of representatives.
(c) The 104th general assembly recognizes that the appellate courts of Tennessee, in specifically considering the open meetings laws, compiled in title 8, chapter 44, have unequivocally ruled that Article II, § 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee prevents this or any other general assembly from statutorily binding a future general assembly on rules of proceedings. Therefore, this general assembly truthfully acknowledges that subsection (a) can be legally binding only for the duration of the 104th general assembly. However, each future general assembly is strongly encouraged and vigorously urged to adopt rules incorporating provisions no less open than subsection (a).
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 41.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-2-101 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 2 / Section 3-2-101
Engrossment and enrollment
Status: in_force

All bills and resolutions of the general assembly shall be engrossed or enrolled in type, or on a typewriter, by the engrossing clerks, and a copy made at the time and furnished the secretary of state. Acts 1923, ch. 3, § 1; Shan. Supp., § 226a1; Code 1932, § 167; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 3-201.
All bills and resolutions of the general assembly shall be engrossed or enrolled in type, or on a typewriter, by the engrossing clerks, and a copy made at the time and furnished the secretary of state.
Acts 1923, ch. 3, § 1; Shan. Supp., § 226a1; Code 1932, § 167; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 3-201.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-1-119 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-1-119
Statement disclosing contributions and expenditures for each caucus of the general assembly - Maintenance of caucus records and accounts
Status: in_force

(a) Each caucus of the general assembly shall make a full disclosure of the sources of contributions received and expenditures made by submitting statements to the registry of election finance within ten (10) days following the conclusion of the quarterly periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. A statement filed pursuant to this section shall consist of either: (1) A statement that neither the contributions received nor the expenditures made during the period for which the statement is submitted exceeded one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any statement filed pursuant to this section shall indicate whether an unexpended balance of contributions, continuing debts and obligations or an expenditure deficit exists; or (2) (A) A statement setting forth, under contributions, a list of all the contributions received, including the full name, complete address, occupation, and employer of each person who contributed a total amount of more than one hundred dollars ($100) during the period for which the statement is submitted, and the amount contributed by that person. The statement shall include the date of the receipt of each contribution. "Date of the receipt", as used in this subdivision (a)(2)(A), means the date when the contribution was received by the caucus. The statement shall list as a single item the total amount of contributions of one hundred dollars ($100) or less; and (B) A statement setting forth, under expenditures, a list of all expenditures made, including the full name and address of each person to whom a total amount of more than one hundred dollars ($100) was paid during the period for which the statement is submitted, the total amount paid to that person, and the purpose of the expenditure. The words "reimbursement", "credit card purchase", "other" and "campaign expense" shall not be considered acceptable descriptions for "purpose". Any purchase made with a credit card shall also be disclosed as a payment to the vendor providing the item or service. Credit card payments to separate vendors shall be disclosed as separate expenditures. The statement shall list the total amount of expenditures of one hundred dollars ($100) or less each, by category, without showing the exact amount of or vouching for each such expenditure. (b) Each caucus of the general assembly shall maintain its records and financial accounts in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, shall retain the records for a period of at least five (5) years after the close of the appropriate fiscal year, and shall make the records available for audit and review by the state upon request of the comptroller of the treasury or the comptroller's designated representative. (c) For purposes of this section, "caucus" means any association whose majority membership consists of members of the general assembly that seeks to pursue, promote or support a common interest, including, but not limited to, a political party. "Caucus" does not include any standing, special, select, ad hoc, or statutory subcommittee or committee of the general assembly. Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 46.
(a) Each caucus of the general assembly shall make a full disclosure of the sources of contributions received and expenditures made by submitting statements to the registry of election finance within ten (10) days following the conclusion of the quarterly periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. A statement filed pursuant to this section shall consist of either: (1) A statement that neither the contributions received nor the expenditures made during the period for which the statement is submitted exceeded one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any statement filed pursuant to this section shall indicate whether an unexpended balance of contributions, continuing debts and obligations or an expenditure deficit exists; or (2) (A) A statement setting forth, under contributions, a list of all the contributions received, including the full name, complete address, occupation, and employer of each person who contributed a total amount of more than one hundred dollars ($100) during the period for which the statement is submitted, and the amount contributed by that person. The statement shall include the date of the receipt of each contribution. "Date of the receipt", as used in this subdivision (a)(2)(A), means the date when the contribution was received by the caucus. The statement shall list as a single item the total amount of contributions of one hundred dollars ($100) or less; and (B) A statement setting forth, under expenditures, a list of all expenditures made, including the full name and address of each person to whom a total amount of more than one hundred dollars ($100) was paid during the period for which the statement is submitted, the total amount paid to that person, and the purpose of the expenditure. The words "reimbursement", "credit card purchase", "other" and "campaign expense" shall not be considered acceptable descriptions for "purpose". Any purchase made with a credit card shall also be disclosed as a payment to the vendor providing the item or service. Credit card payments to separate vendors shall be disclosed as separate expenditures. The statement shall list the total amount of expenditures of one hundred dollars ($100) or less each, by category, without showing the exact amount of or vouching for each such expenditure.
(1) A statement that neither the contributions received nor the expenditures made during the period for which the statement is submitted exceeded one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any statement filed pursuant to this section shall indicate whether an unexpended balance of contributions, continuing debts and obligations or an expenditure deficit exists; or
(2) (A) A statement setting forth, under contributions, a list of all the contributions received, including the full name, complete address, occupation, and employer of each person who contributed a total amount of more than one hundred dollars ($100) during the period for which the statement is submitted, and the amount contributed by that person. The statement shall include the date of the receipt of each contribution. "Date of the receipt", as used in this subdivision (a)(2)(A), means the date when the contribution was received by the caucus. The statement shall list as a single item the total amount of contributions of one hundred dollars ($100) or less; and (B) A statement setting forth, under expenditures, a list of all expenditures made, including the full name and address of each person to whom a total amount of more than one hundred dollars ($100) was paid during the period for which the statement is submitted, the total amount paid to that person, and the purpose of the expenditure. The words "reimbursement", "credit card purchase", "other" and "campaign expense" shall not be considered acceptable descriptions for "purpose". Any purchase made with a credit card shall also be disclosed as a payment to the vendor providing the item or service. Credit card payments to separate vendors shall be disclosed as separate expenditures. The statement shall list the total amount of expenditures of one hundred dollars ($100) or less each, by category, without showing the exact amount of or vouching for each such expenditure.
(A) A statement setting forth, under contributions, a list of all the contributions received, including the full name, complete address, occupation, and employer of each person who contributed a total amount of more than one hundred dollars ($100) during the period for which the statement is submitted, and the amount contributed by that person. The statement shall include the date of the receipt of each contribution. "Date of the receipt", as used in this subdivision (a)(2)(A), means the date when the contribution was received by the caucus. The statement shall list as a single item the total amount of contributions of one hundred dollars ($100) or less; and
(B) A statement setting forth, under expenditures, a list of all expenditures made, including the full name and address of each person to whom a total amount of more than one hundred dollars ($100) was paid during the period for which the statement is submitted, the total amount paid to that person, and the purpose of the expenditure. The words "reimbursement", "credit card purchase", "other" and "campaign expense" shall not be considered acceptable descriptions for "purpose". Any purchase made with a credit card shall also be disclosed as a payment to the vendor providing the item or service. Credit card payments to separate vendors shall be disclosed as separate expenditures. The statement shall list the total amount of expenditures of one hundred dollars ($100) or less each, by category, without showing the exact amount of or vouching for each such expenditure.
(b) Each caucus of the general assembly shall maintain its records and financial accounts in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, shall retain the records for a period of at least five (5) years after the close of the appropriate fiscal year, and shall make the records available for audit and review by the state upon request of the comptroller of the treasury or the comptroller's designated representative.
(c) For purposes of this section, "caucus" means any association whose majority membership consists of members of the general assembly that seeks to pursue, promote or support a common interest, including, but not limited to, a political party. "Caucus" does not include any standing, special, select, ad hoc, or statutory subcommittee or committee of the general assembly.
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 46.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-305 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 6 / Section 3-6-305
Prohibited gifts - Exceptions
Status: in_force

(a) (1) No employer of a lobbyist or lobbyist may provide a gift, directly or indirectly, to a candidate for public office, official in the legislative branch, official in the executive branch, or immediate family of such candidate or official. (2) A candidate for public office, an official in the legislative branch, or an official in the executive branch, or the immediate family of such candidate or official, may not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, a gift from an employer of a lobbyist or a lobbyist. (b) The following are not subject to the prohibition in subsection (a): (1) Benefits resulting from business, employment, or other outside activities of a candidate or official or the immediate family of a candidate or official, if such benefits are customarily provided to others in similar circumstances and are not enhanced due to the status of the candidate or official; (2) Informational materials in the form of books, articles, periodicals, other written materials, audiotapes, videotapes, or other forms of communication; (3) Gifts that are given for a nonbusiness purpose and motivated by close personal friendship, but only to the extent such gifts are specifically defined and authorized by the rules of the ethics commission; (4) Sample merchandise, promotional items, and appreciation tokens, if such merchandise, items and tokens are routinely given to customers, suppliers or potential customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business; (5) Unsolicited tokens or awards of appreciation, honorary degrees, or bona fide awards in recognition of public service in the form of a plaque, trophy, desk item, wall memento and similar items; provided, that any such item shall not be in a form that can be readily converted to cash; (6) Opportunities and benefits made available to all members of an appropriate class of the general public, including, but not limited to: (A) Discounts afforded to the general public or specified groups or occupations under normal business conditions, except that such discounts may not be based on the status of the candidate or official; (B) Prizes and awards given in public contests; and (C) Benefits of participation in events held within the state and sponsored by, or for the benefit of, charitable organizations as defined in § 48-101-501 , if provided by an employer of a lobbyist to an official in the executive branch or to an official in the legislative branch; provided, that such events are open to participation by persons other than officials in the executive branch or officials in the legislative branch or the official's immediate family and any benefits received are not enhanced due to the status of the official in the executive or legislative branch; or provided, that invitations are extended to the entire membership of the general assembly; (7) (A) Expenses for out-of-state travel, if such expenses are paid for or reimbursed by a governmental entity or an established and recognized organization of elected or appointed state government officials, staff of state government officials or both officials and staff, or any other established and recognized organization that is an umbrella organization for such officials, staff, or both officials and staff; (B) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, amenities, goody bags, exhibitor promotional items given in the exhibit hall to conference attendees, health screenings, lodging, or admission tickets that are provided in connection with, and are arranged or coordinated through the employees or designated agents of, a conference, if the conference is sponsored by an established and recognized organization of elected or appointed state government officials, staff of state government officials or both officials and staff, or any other established and recognized organization that is an umbrella organization for such officials, staff, or both officials and staff. For purposes of this subdivision (b)(7)(B), any entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, amenities, goody bags, or admission tickets provided at events designated as a state night or other events for attendees of the conference shall be deemed to be provided in connection with, and arranged or coordinated through the employees or designated agents of the conference; (8) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, or health screenings that are provided in connection with an in-state event to which invitations are extended to the entire membership of the general assembly; however, a copy of the invitation shall be delivered to the ethics commission and to each member of the general assembly at least seven (7) days in advance of the event by the employer or lobbyist paying for the event; provided further, however, that, within thirty (30) days following the event, the employer or lobbyist shall electronically report to the commission the total aggregate cost paid for the event, as well as the per person contractual cost for the event or the per person cost for the event based on the number of persons invited, which shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per person per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity. The value of any such gift may not be reduced below the monetary limitation by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more lobbyists or employers of lobbyists. All such information delivered or reported to the commission shall be promptly posted on the commission's Internet site. The filing of a consolidated report may be authorized by rule, promulgated pursuant to § 4-55-103(1) , if the costs of the event are shared by two (2) or more employers or lobbyists; however, any such report shall specify the allocation of the costs among the employers or lobbyists; provided further, however, that the employers or lobbyists shall remain individually accountable for the timeliness and accuracy of the consolidated filing. The fifty dollar ($50.00) limitation shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1, starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website; (9) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, amenities, or beverages that are provided in connection with an in-state event at which a candidate for public office, an official in the legislative branch or an official in the executive branch, or an immediate family member of the candidate or official is a speaker or part of a panel discussion at a scheduled meeting of an established and recognized membership organization that has regular meetings; however, the cost of the entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, amenities, or beverages shall be paid for or reimbursed by the membership organization and the per person cost of the event, which shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per person per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity. The value of any such gift may not be reduced below such monetary limitation by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more lobbyists or employers of lobbyists. The fifty dollar ($50.00) limitation shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1 starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website; (10) (A) Food, refreshments, meals, or beverages that are provided by an employer of a lobbyist in connection with an in-state event to which invitations are extended to an official or officials in the legislative branch or official or officials in the executive branch; provided, that: (i) No employer of a lobbyist may provide food, refreshments, meals, or beverages, the value of which to the official exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00) per event per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity; nor may such employer of a lobbyist provide any such items to any official pursuant to this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) that have a cumulative value of more than one hundred dollars ($100) to the official during a calendar year; (ii) The value of any such gift may not be reduced below such monetary limitations by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more employers of lobbyists; (iii) This exception to the prohibition in subsection (a) only applies to a member or members of the general assembly, if the member or members do not receive a per diem allowance pursuant to § 3-1-106 , for the day on which the event is held and the member or members do not receive any food, refreshments, meals or beverages that are provided in connection with the in-state event that are not offered or provided to other nonmembers in attendance at the event; and (iv) An officer or management-level employee of each employer of a lobbyist paying for the event shall attend the event; however, a lobbyist shall not be considered to be an officer or management-level employee of an employer of the lobbyist paying for the event for purposes of this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(iv). (B) The fifty dollar ($50.00) and one hundred dollar ($100) amounts in subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1 starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website; or (11) Occasional or incidental local travel for which no fare is ordinarily charged. (c) If an official in the legislative or executive branch attends an event and accepts a gift that is provided by a person or entity not subject to the prohibition set forth in § 3-6-305(a) , and if a lobbyist also attends the event and knows or has reason to know that the gift has been provided at the suggestion or direction of the lobbyist, then, within seven (7) days following the event, the lobbyist shall electronically report the following information to the ethics commission: (1) Name of the official or family member; (2) Nature and purpose of the event; (3) Name, address and business of the person or entity that provided the gift; (4) Description of the gift; and (5) Cost of the gift; however, if the cost of the gift is unknown and not reasonably discernible by the lobbyist, then the lobbyist shall report a good faith estimate of the cost of the gift. (d) A gift made contrary to this section, shall not be a violation of this section, if the candidate, official or immediate family member does not use the gift and returns it to the donor within the latter of ten (10) days of receipt or ten (10) days of having knowledge that the gift was a violation or pays consideration of equal or greater value within the latter of ten (10) days of receipt or ten (10) days of having knowledge that the gift was a violation. Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 35; 2006, ch. 803, § 1; 2008 , ch. 965, § 2; 2009 , ch. 556, § 23.
(a) (1) No employer of a lobbyist or lobbyist may provide a gift, directly or indirectly, to a candidate for public office, official in the legislative branch, official in the executive branch, or immediate family of such candidate or official. (2) A candidate for public office, an official in the legislative branch, or an official in the executive branch, or the immediate family of such candidate or official, may not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, a gift from an employer of a lobbyist or a lobbyist.
(1) No employer of a lobbyist or lobbyist may provide a gift, directly or indirectly, to a candidate for public office, official in the legislative branch, official in the executive branch, or immediate family of such candidate or official.
(2) A candidate for public office, an official in the legislative branch, or an official in the executive branch, or the immediate family of such candidate or official, may not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, a gift from an employer of a lobbyist or a lobbyist.
(b) The following are not subject to the prohibition in subsection (a): (1) Benefits resulting from business, employment, or other outside activities of a candidate or official or the immediate family of a candidate or official, if such benefits are customarily provided to others in similar circumstances and are not enhanced due to the status of the candidate or official; (2) Informational materials in the form of books, articles, periodicals, other written materials, audiotapes, videotapes, or other forms of communication; (3) Gifts that are given for a nonbusiness purpose and motivated by close personal friendship, but only to the extent such gifts are specifically defined and authorized by the rules of the ethics commission; (4) Sample merchandise, promotional items, and appreciation tokens, if such merchandise, items and tokens are routinely given to customers, suppliers or potential customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business; (5) Unsolicited tokens or awards of appreciation, honorary degrees, or bona fide awards in recognition of public service in the form of a plaque, trophy, desk item, wall memento and similar items; provided, that any such item shall not be in a form that can be readily converted to cash; (6) Opportunities and benefits made available to all members of an appropriate class of the general public, including, but not limited to: (A) Discounts afforded to the general public or specified groups or occupations under normal business conditions, except that such discounts may not be based on the status of the candidate or official; (B) Prizes and awards given in public contests; and (C) Benefits of participation in events held within the state and sponsored by, or for the benefit of, charitable organizations as defined in § 48-101-501 , if provided by an employer of a lobbyist to an official in the executive branch or to an official in the legislative branch; provided, that such events are open to participation by persons other than officials in the executive branch or officials in the legislative branch or the official's immediate family and any benefits received are not enhanced due to the status of the official in the executive or legislative branch; or provided, that invitations are extended to the entire membership of the general assembly; (7) (A) Expenses for out-of-state travel, if such expenses are paid for or reimbursed by a governmental entity or an established and recognized organization of elected or appointed state government officials, staff of state government officials or both officials and staff, or any other established and recognized organization that is an umbrella organization for such officials, staff, or both officials and staff; (B) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, amenities, goody bags, exhibitor promotional items given in the exhibit hall to conference attendees, health screenings, lodging, or admission tickets that are provided in connection with, and are arranged or coordinated through the employees or designated agents of, a conference, if the conference is sponsored by an established and recognized organization of elected or appointed state government officials, staff of state government officials or both officials and staff, or any other established and recognized organization that is an umbrella organization for such officials, staff, or both officials and staff. For purposes of this subdivision (b)(7)(B), any entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, amenities, goody bags, or admission tickets provided at events designated as a state night or other events for attendees of the conference shall be deemed to be provided in connection with, and arranged or coordinated through the employees or designated agents of the conference; (8) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, or health screenings that are provided in connection with an in-state event to which invitations are extended to the entire membership of the general assembly; however, a copy of the invitation shall be delivered to the ethics commission and to each member of the general assembly at least seven (7) days in advance of the event by the employer or lobbyist paying for the event; provided further, however, that, within thirty (30) days following the event, the employer or lobbyist shall electronically report to the commission the total aggregate cost paid for the event, as well as the per person contractual cost for the event or the per person cost for the event based on the number of persons invited, which shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per person per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity. The value of any such gift may not be reduced below the monetary limitation by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more lobbyists or employers of lobbyists. All such information delivered or reported to the commission shall be promptly posted on the commission's Internet site. The filing of a consolidated report may be authorized by rule, promulgated pursuant to § 4-55-103(1) , if the costs of the event are shared by two (2) or more employers or lobbyists; however, any such report shall specify the allocation of the costs among the employers or lobbyists; provided further, however, that the employers or lobbyists shall remain individually accountable for the timeliness and accuracy of the consolidated filing. The fifty dollar ($50.00) limitation shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1, starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website; (9) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, amenities, or beverages that are provided in connection with an in-state event at which a candidate for public office, an official in the legislative branch or an official in the executive branch, or an immediate family member of the candidate or official is a speaker or part of a panel discussion at a scheduled meeting of an established and recognized membership organization that has regular meetings; however, the cost of the entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, amenities, or beverages shall be paid for or reimbursed by the membership organization and the per person cost of the event, which shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per person per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity. The value of any such gift may not be reduced below such monetary limitation by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more lobbyists or employers of lobbyists. The fifty dollar ($50.00) limitation shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1 starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website; (10) (A) Food, refreshments, meals, or beverages that are provided by an employer of a lobbyist in connection with an in-state event to which invitations are extended to an official or officials in the legislative branch or official or officials in the executive branch; provided, that: (i) No employer of a lobbyist may provide food, refreshments, meals, or beverages, the value of which to the official exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00) per event per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity; nor may such employer of a lobbyist provide any such items to any official pursuant to this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) that have a cumulative value of more than one hundred dollars ($100) to the official during a calendar year; (ii) The value of any such gift may not be reduced below such monetary limitations by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more employers of lobbyists; (iii) This exception to the prohibition in subsection (a) only applies to a member or members of the general assembly, if the member or members do not receive a per diem allowance pursuant to § 3-1-106 , for the day on which the event is held and the member or members do not receive any food, refreshments, meals or beverages that are provided in connection with the in-state event that are not offered or provided to other nonmembers in attendance at the event; and (iv) An officer or management-level employee of each employer of a lobbyist paying for the event shall attend the event; however, a lobbyist shall not be considered to be an officer or management-level employee of an employer of the lobbyist paying for the event for purposes of this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(iv). (B) The fifty dollar ($50.00) and one hundred dollar ($100) amounts in subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1 starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website; or (11) Occasional or incidental local travel for which no fare is ordinarily charged.
(1) Benefits resulting from business, employment, or other outside activities of a candidate or official or the immediate family of a candidate or official, if such benefits are customarily provided to others in similar circumstances and are not enhanced due to the status of the candidate or official;
(2) Informational materials in the form of books, articles, periodicals, other written materials, audiotapes, videotapes, or other forms of communication;
(3) Gifts that are given for a nonbusiness purpose and motivated by close personal friendship, but only to the extent such gifts are specifically defined and authorized by the rules of the ethics commission;
(4) Sample merchandise, promotional items, and appreciation tokens, if such merchandise, items and tokens are routinely given to customers, suppliers or potential customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business;
(5) Unsolicited tokens or awards of appreciation, honorary degrees, or bona fide awards in recognition of public service in the form of a plaque, trophy, desk item, wall memento and similar items; provided, that any such item shall not be in a form that can be readily converted to cash;
(6) Opportunities and benefits made available to all members of an appropriate class of the general public, including, but not limited to: (A) Discounts afforded to the general public or specified groups or occupations under normal business conditions, except that such discounts may not be based on the status of the candidate or official; (B) Prizes and awards given in public contests; and (C) Benefits of participation in events held within the state and sponsored by, or for the benefit of, charitable organizations as defined in § 48-101-501 , if provided by an employer of a lobbyist to an official in the executive branch or to an official in the legislative branch; provided, that such events are open to participation by persons other than officials in the executive branch or officials in the legislative branch or the official's immediate family and any benefits received are not enhanced due to the status of the official in the executive or legislative branch; or provided, that invitations are extended to the entire membership of the general assembly;
(A) Discounts afforded to the general public or specified groups or occupations under normal business conditions, except that such discounts may not be based on the status of the candidate or official;
(B) Prizes and awards given in public contests; and
(C) Benefits of participation in events held within the state and sponsored by, or for the benefit of, charitable organizations as defined in § 48-101-501 , if provided by an employer of a lobbyist to an official in the executive branch or to an official in the legislative branch; provided, that such events are open to participation by persons other than officials in the executive branch or officials in the legislative branch or the official's immediate family and any benefits received are not enhanced due to the status of the official in the executive or legislative branch; or provided, that invitations are extended to the entire membership of the general assembly;
(7) (A) Expenses for out-of-state travel, if such expenses are paid for or reimbursed by a governmental entity or an established and recognized organization of elected or appointed state government officials, staff of state government officials or both officials and staff, or any other established and recognized organization that is an umbrella organization for such officials, staff, or both officials and staff; (B) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, amenities, goody bags, exhibitor promotional items given in the exhibit hall to conference attendees, health screenings, lodging, or admission tickets that are provided in connection with, and are arranged or coordinated through the employees or designated agents of, a conference, if the conference is sponsored by an established and recognized organization of elected or appointed state government officials, staff of state government officials or both officials and staff, or any other established and recognized organization that is an umbrella organization for such officials, staff, or both officials and staff. For purposes of this subdivision (b)(7)(B), any entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, amenities, goody bags, or admission tickets provided at events designated as a state night or other events for attendees of the conference shall be deemed to be provided in connection with, and arranged or coordinated through the employees or designated agents of the conference;
(A) Expenses for out-of-state travel, if such expenses are paid for or reimbursed by a governmental entity or an established and recognized organization of elected or appointed state government officials, staff of state government officials or both officials and staff, or any other established and recognized organization that is an umbrella organization for such officials, staff, or both officials and staff;
(B) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, amenities, goody bags, exhibitor promotional items given in the exhibit hall to conference attendees, health screenings, lodging, or admission tickets that are provided in connection with, and are arranged or coordinated through the employees or designated agents of, a conference, if the conference is sponsored by an established and recognized organization of elected or appointed state government officials, staff of state government officials or both officials and staff, or any other established and recognized organization that is an umbrella organization for such officials, staff, or both officials and staff. For purposes of this subdivision (b)(7)(B), any entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, amenities, goody bags, or admission tickets provided at events designated as a state night or other events for attendees of the conference shall be deemed to be provided in connection with, and arranged or coordinated through the employees or designated agents of the conference;
(8) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, beverages, or health screenings that are provided in connection with an in-state event to which invitations are extended to the entire membership of the general assembly; however, a copy of the invitation shall be delivered to the ethics commission and to each member of the general assembly at least seven (7) days in advance of the event by the employer or lobbyist paying for the event; provided further, however, that, within thirty (30) days following the event, the employer or lobbyist shall electronically report to the commission the total aggregate cost paid for the event, as well as the per person contractual cost for the event or the per person cost for the event based on the number of persons invited, which shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per person per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity. The value of any such gift may not be reduced below the monetary limitation by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more lobbyists or employers of lobbyists. All such information delivered or reported to the commission shall be promptly posted on the commission's Internet site. The filing of a consolidated report may be authorized by rule, promulgated pursuant to § 4-55-103(1) , if the costs of the event are shared by two (2) or more employers or lobbyists; however, any such report shall specify the allocation of the costs among the employers or lobbyists; provided further, however, that the employers or lobbyists shall remain individually accountable for the timeliness and accuracy of the consolidated filing. The fifty dollar ($50.00) limitation shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1, starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website;
(9) Entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, amenities, or beverages that are provided in connection with an in-state event at which a candidate for public office, an official in the legislative branch or an official in the executive branch, or an immediate family member of the candidate or official is a speaker or part of a panel discussion at a scheduled meeting of an established and recognized membership organization that has regular meetings; however, the cost of the entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, amenities, or beverages shall be paid for or reimbursed by the membership organization and the per person cost of the event, which shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per person per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity. The value of any such gift may not be reduced below such monetary limitation by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more lobbyists or employers of lobbyists. The fifty dollar ($50.00) limitation shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1 starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website;
(10) (A) Food, refreshments, meals, or beverages that are provided by an employer of a lobbyist in connection with an in-state event to which invitations are extended to an official or officials in the legislative branch or official or officials in the executive branch; provided, that: (i) No employer of a lobbyist may provide food, refreshments, meals, or beverages, the value of which to the official exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00) per event per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity; nor may such employer of a lobbyist provide any such items to any official pursuant to this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) that have a cumulative value of more than one hundred dollars ($100) to the official during a calendar year; (ii) The value of any such gift may not be reduced below such monetary limitations by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more employers of lobbyists; (iii) This exception to the prohibition in subsection (a) only applies to a member or members of the general assembly, if the member or members do not receive a per diem allowance pursuant to § 3-1-106 , for the day on which the event is held and the member or members do not receive any food, refreshments, meals or beverages that are provided in connection with the in-state event that are not offered or provided to other nonmembers in attendance at the event; and (iv) An officer or management-level employee of each employer of a lobbyist paying for the event shall attend the event; however, a lobbyist shall not be considered to be an officer or management-level employee of an employer of the lobbyist paying for the event for purposes of this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(iv). (B) The fifty dollar ($50.00) and one hundred dollar ($100) amounts in subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1 starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website; or
(A) Food, refreshments, meals, or beverages that are provided by an employer of a lobbyist in connection with an in-state event to which invitations are extended to an official or officials in the legislative branch or official or officials in the executive branch; provided, that: (i) No employer of a lobbyist may provide food, refreshments, meals, or beverages, the value of which to the official exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00) per event per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity; nor may such employer of a lobbyist provide any such items to any official pursuant to this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) that have a cumulative value of more than one hundred dollars ($100) to the official during a calendar year; (ii) The value of any such gift may not be reduced below such monetary limitations by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more employers of lobbyists; (iii) This exception to the prohibition in subsection (a) only applies to a member or members of the general assembly, if the member or members do not receive a per diem allowance pursuant to § 3-1-106 , for the day on which the event is held and the member or members do not receive any food, refreshments, meals or beverages that are provided in connection with the in-state event that are not offered or provided to other nonmembers in attendance at the event; and (iv) An officer or management-level employee of each employer of a lobbyist paying for the event shall attend the event; however, a lobbyist shall not be considered to be an officer or management-level employee of an employer of the lobbyist paying for the event for purposes of this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(iv).
(i) No employer of a lobbyist may provide food, refreshments, meals, or beverages, the value of which to the official exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00) per event per day, excluding sales tax and gratuity; nor may such employer of a lobbyist provide any such items to any official pursuant to this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) that have a cumulative value of more than one hundred dollars ($100) to the official during a calendar year;
(ii) The value of any such gift may not be reduced below such monetary limitations by dividing the cost of the gift among two (2) or more employers of lobbyists;
(iii) This exception to the prohibition in subsection (a) only applies to a member or members of the general assembly, if the member or members do not receive a per diem allowance pursuant to § 3-1-106 , for the day on which the event is held and the member or members do not receive any food, refreshments, meals or beverages that are provided in connection with the in-state event that are not offered or provided to other nonmembers in attendance at the event; and
(iv) An officer or management-level employee of each employer of a lobbyist paying for the event shall attend the event; however, a lobbyist shall not be considered to be an officer or management-level employee of an employer of the lobbyist paying for the event for purposes of this subdivision (b)(10)(A)(iv).
(B) The fifty dollar ($50.00) and one hundred dollar ($100) amounts in subdivision (b)(10)(A)(i) shall be increased to the nearest one dollar ($1.00) amount to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, every odd-numbered year on January 1 starting in 2007. The ethics commission shall publish the increased amount on its website; or
(11) Occasional or incidental local travel for which no fare is ordinarily charged.
(c) If an official in the legislative or executive branch attends an event and accepts a gift that is provided by a person or entity not subject to the prohibition set forth in § 3-6-305(a) , and if a lobbyist also attends the event and knows or has reason to know that the gift has been provided at the suggestion or direction of the lobbyist, then, within seven (7) days following the event, the lobbyist shall electronically report the following information to the ethics commission: (1) Name of the official or family member; (2) Nature and purpose of the event; (3) Name, address and business of the person or entity that provided the gift; (4) Description of the gift; and (5) Cost of the gift; however, if the cost of the gift is unknown and not reasonably discernible by the lobbyist, then the lobbyist shall report a good faith estimate of the cost of the gift.
(1) Name of the official or family member;
(2) Nature and purpose of the event;
(3) Name, address and business of the person or entity that provided the gift;
(4) Description of the gift; and
(5) Cost of the gift; however, if the cost of the gift is unknown and not reasonably discernible by the lobbyist, then the lobbyist shall report a good faith estimate of the cost of the gift.
(d) A gift made contrary to this section, shall not be a violation of this section, if the candidate, official or immediate family member does not use the gift and returns it to the donor within the latter of ten (10) days of receipt or ten (10) days of having knowledge that the gift was a violation or pays consideration of equal or greater value within the latter of ten (10) days of receipt or ten (10) days of having knowledge that the gift was a violation.
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 35; 2006, ch. 803, § 1; 2008 , ch. 965, § 2; 2009 , ch. 556, § 23.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-12-101 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 12 / Section 3-12-101
Creation - Duties
Status: in_force

There is created the office of legal services, which has the duty to: (1) Provide summaries and abstracts of proposed legislation; (2) Prepare and assist in the preparation of proposed legislation and amendments; (3) Give legal opinions upon request of members of the general assembly; (4) Inform the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate committees of either house of developments which have affected or may affect state law or which may require legislative action, together with appropriate recommendations; (5) Review all proposed legislation as to form and style, prior to its introduction; (6) Conduct a continuing review of the Tennessee Code Annotated and uncodified public chapters and advise the general assembly as to legislation deemed necessary to remove defective or anachronistic laws in light of the common law and judicial decisions; (7) Advise the general assembly of proposals for the reform or betterment of the law recommended by the Uniform Law Commission, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, the American Law Institute, any bar association or other learned body; (8) Receive and consider suggestions from legislators, judges, public officials, lawyers, and the public as to defects and anachronisms in the law and, if deemed appropriate, prepare legislation to remove such defects or anachronisms; (9) Inform the general assembly of all provisions of the Tennessee Code Annotated which have been repealed by implication or which have been held unconstitutional by the Tennessee Supreme Court or by the United States Supreme Court; and (10) Provide other legal services requested by the committee, the speakers, or the general assembly. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 494,s 3, eff. 2/21/2024. Acts 1977, ch. 89, § 7; T.C.A., § 3-1201.
There is created the office of legal services, which has the duty to:
(1) Provide summaries and abstracts of proposed legislation;
(2) Prepare and assist in the preparation of proposed legislation and amendments;
(3) Give legal opinions upon request of members of the general assembly;
(4) Inform the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate committees of either house of developments which have affected or may affect state law or which may require legislative action, together with appropriate recommendations;
(5) Review all proposed legislation as to form and style, prior to its introduction;
(6) Conduct a continuing review of the Tennessee Code Annotated and uncodified public chapters and advise the general assembly as to legislation deemed necessary to remove defective or anachronistic laws in light of the common law and judicial decisions;
(7) Advise the general assembly of proposals for the reform or betterment of the law recommended by the Uniform Law Commission, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, the American Law Institute, any bar association or other learned body;
(8) Receive and consider suggestions from legislators, judges, public officials, lawyers, and the public as to defects and anachronisms in the law and, if deemed appropriate, prepare legislation to remove such defects or anachronisms;
(9) Inform the general assembly of all provisions of the Tennessee Code Annotated which have been repealed by implication or which have been held unconstitutional by the Tennessee Supreme Court or by the United States Supreme Court; and
(10) Provide other legal services requested by the committee, the speakers, or the general assembly.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 494,s 3, eff. 2/21/2024.
Acts 1977, ch. 89, § 7; T.C.A., § 3-1201.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-10-105 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 10 / Section 3-10-105
Cooperation of state departments, institutions and agencies
Status: in_force

(a) The office of legal services, the office of legislative administration, office of legislative budget analysis and the office of legislative information systems established by §§ 3-12-101 , 3-13-101 , 3-14-201 and 3-16-101 , respectively, may call upon the state library, state universities and colleges, the comptroller of the treasury, the [former] state planning office [repealed], the attorney general and reporter, and all other state departments and agencies for assistance and advice. (b) It is the duty of the attorney general and reporter to render opinions and give counsel to the office of legal services, the office of legislative administration, and the offices of legislative information systems upon request of the directors of the respective offices. Acts 1977, ch. 89, § 12; T.C.A., § 3-1005; Acts 1987, ch. 163, §6; 1999, ch. 497, §6; 2010 , ch. 1077, §§ 4-6.
(a) The office of legal services, the office of legislative administration, office of legislative budget analysis and the office of legislative information systems established by §§ 3-12-101 , 3-13-101 , 3-14-201 and 3-16-101 , respectively, may call upon the state library, state universities and colleges, the comptroller of the treasury, the [former] state planning office [repealed], the attorney general and reporter, and all other state departments and agencies for assistance and advice.
(b) It is the duty of the attorney general and reporter to render opinions and give counsel to the office of legal services, the office of legislative administration, and the offices of legislative information systems upon request of the directors of the respective offices.
Acts 1977, ch. 89, § 12; T.C.A., § 3-1005; Acts 1987, ch. 163, §6; 1999, ch. 497, §6; 2010 , ch. 1077, §§ 4-6.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-301 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 6 / Section 3-6-301
Part definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Administrative action" means the taking of any recommendation, report or nonministerial action; the making of any decision or taking any action to postpone any action or decision; action of the governor in approving or vetoing any bill or resolution; the promulgation of a rule; or any action of a quasi-legislative nature, by an official in the executive branch of state government; however, "administration action" does not include ordinary and routine permitting, licensing, or compliance decisions by an official of the executive branch of state government; (2) "Association" means any union, league, chamber of commerce, committee, club, or other membership organization; (3) "Attorney general" means the attorney general and reporter; (4) "Campaign contribution" means any contribution as defined by § 2-10-102 ; (5) "Candidate for public office" means any individual who has made a formal announcement of candidacy or who qualified under the law of this state to seek nomination for election or elections to any state public office, or has received contributions or made expenditures, except for incidental expenditures to determine if one shall be a candidate, or has given consent for a campaign committee to receive contributions or make expenditures, with a view to bringing about that person's nomination for election or the election to state public office, and any individual who has been nominated for appointment as an official in the legislative or executive branch; (6) "Compensation" means any salary, fee, payment, reimbursement or other valuable consideration, or any combination thereof, whether received or to be received; however, "compensation" does not include the salary or reimbursement of an individual whose lobbying is incidental to that person's regular employment; (7) "Employer of a lobbyist" or "employer" means any person or entity that employs, retains or otherwise arranges for a lobbyist to engage in lobbying on behalf of the person or entity for compensation. "Employer of a lobbyist" or "employer" specifically includes any such person or entity notwithstanding the lobbyist's status as an employee, agent, contractor, subcontractor or other representative lobbying on behalf of such person or entity for compensation. "Employer of a lobbyist" or "employer" does not include the individual employees, officers, directors, or members of a corporation, labor organization, association, or membership organization other than the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer or comparable individuals within such corporation, labor organization, association, or membership organization. For purposes of employer registration and disclosure pursuant to this part, a lobbying firm is not deemed to be the employer of any lobbyist within the firm; (8) "Executive agency" means any commission, board, agency, or other entity in the executive branch of the state government or any independent entity of the state government that is not a part of the legislative or judicial branch; (9) "Expenditure" means any advance, conveyance, deposit, distribution, transfer of funds, loan, payment, pledge, or subscription of money or anything of value, and any contract, agreement, promise, or other obligation, whether or not legally enforceable, to make an expenditure; (10) "Gift" means any payment, honorarium, subscription, loan, advance, forbearance, rendering or deposit of money or services, unless consideration of equal or greater value is received. "Gift" does not include a campaign contribution otherwise reported as required by law, a commercially reasonable loan made in the ordinary course of business, or a gift received from a member of the person's immediate family or from a relative within the third degree of consanguinity of the person or of the person's spouse, or from the spouse of any such relative. "Gift" does not include the waiver of a registration fee for a conference or educational seminar; (11) "Immediate family" means a spouse or minor child living in the household; (12) "Influencing legislative or administrative action" means promoting, supporting, influencing, modifying, opposing or delaying any legislative or administrative action by any means, including, but not limited to, the provision or use of information, statistics, studies, or analyses, but not including the furnishing of information, statistics, studies, or analyses requested by an official of the legislative or executive branch to that official or the giving of testimony by an individual testifying at an official hearing conducted by officials of the legislative or executive branch; (13) "Investigatory audit information" means data obtained pursuant to a finding of probable cause to believe that an employer or lobbyist has violated this part, including information pertaining to the source or amount of employer or lobbyist income, expenditures, receipts, assets, liabilities, net worth, or related financial or proprietary information that is received by, recorded by, prepared by, or collected by or on behalf of the ethics commission during the course of any audit, investigation or other examination undertaken for the purpose of ensuring compliance with, or imposing civil or criminal sanctions for violation of, this part. "Investigatory audit information" does not include data in a form that cannot, either directly or indirectly, be associated with, or otherwise be used to identify, directly or indirectly, a particular employer or lobbyist; (14) "Legislative action" means introduction, sponsorship, debate, voting or any other nonministerial official action or nonaction on any bill, resolution, amendment, nomination, appointment, report or any other matter pending or proposed in a legislative committee or in either house of the general assembly; (15) (A) "Lobby" means to communicate, directly or indirectly, with any official in the legislative branch or executive branch for the purpose of influencing any legislative action or administrative action; (B) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the legislative or executive branches by an elected or appointed public official performing the duties of the office held; a duly licensed attorney at law acting in a representative capacity on behalf of a client appearing before an official of the executive branch for the purpose of determining or obtaining such person's legal rights or obligations in a contested case action, administrative proceeding, or rule making procedure; or an editor or working member of the press, radio or television who, in the ordinary course of business, disseminates news or editorial comment to the general public; (C) "Lobby" does not mean communications by an incumbent or prospective contractor or vendor, or an employee of the contractor or vendor, while engaged in selling or marketing to the state, or any department or agency of the state, by demonstrating or describing goods or services to be provided or by inquiring about specifications, terms, conditions, timing, or similar commercial information. However, the contractor or vendor, or employee of the contractor or vendor, shall be deemed to be a lobbyist, solely for the purposes of § 3-6-305 , if actively engaged in selling or marketing to an official in the executive branch or an official in the legislative branch whose duty it is to vote for, let out, overlook, or in any manner to superintend any work or any contract so marketed or sold; (D) "Lobby" does not mean communications by an employee of a school board, municipal utility, utility district, or any department, agency or entity of state, county or municipal government; provided, however, that, if the board, utility, district, department, agency or entity employs, retains or otherwise arranges for lobbyist services in this state by a contractor, subcontractor or other representative who is not an employee of such board, utility, district, department, agency or entity, then "lobby" includes communications by the contractor, subcontractor or other representative, and the contractor, subcontractor or other representative shall comply with the lobbying registration and other provisions of this part pertaining to lobbyists; provided further, however, that the board, utility, district, department, agency or entity that employs the contractor, subcontractor or other representative is not deemed to be an employer of a lobbyist for purposes of this part; (E) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the executive branch by any person to promote, oppose, or otherwise influence the outcome of a decision related to the issuance or award of a bond, grant, lease, loan or incentive pursuant to §§ 4-3-701 - 4-3-733; and (F) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the executive branch by any person to promote, oppose, or otherwise influence the outcome of a decision related to any component of an economic development incentive package; provided, that any person who is otherwise required to register as a lobbyist under the Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), shall not be deemed to fall within this exception; (16) "Lobbying firm" means any firm, corporation, partnership or other business entity that regularly supplies lobbying services to others for compensation; (17) "Lobbyist" means any person who engages in lobbying for compensation; (18) "Ministerial action" means an action that a person performs in a prescribed manner in obedience to the mandate of legal authority, without regard to, or the exercise of, the person's own judgment upon the propriety of the action being taken; (19) "Official in the executive branch" means the governor, any member of the governor's staff, any member or employee of a state regulatory commission, including, without limitation, commissioners of the Tennessee public utility commission, or any member or employee of any executive department or agency or other state body in the executive branch. "Official in the executive branch" also includes any administrative governmental official or employee of any county exercising the authority set forth in § 8-17-103(b) ; (20) "Official in the legislative branch" means any member, member-elect, any staff person or employee of the general assembly or any member of a commission established by and responsible to the general assembly or either house of the general assembly who takes legislative action. "Official in the legislative branch" also includes the secretary of state, treasurer, and comptroller of the treasury and any employee of those offices. "Official in the legislative branch" also includes any legislative governmental official or employee of any county exercising the authority set forth in § 8-17-103(b) ; (21) "Person" means any individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, labor organization, or any other organization or group of persons; (22) "Random audit information" means information obtained pursuant to an examination of a lobbyist's employment contract, job description or other documentation in order to determine that no contingency fee arrangement prohibited under § 3-6-304(k) is included and that the date of employment as a lobbyist is consistent with the registration statements filed by both the lobbyist and employer. "Random audit information" also means information obtained pursuant to a review of the total lobbying and lobbying-related compensation and expenses paid to the lobbyist by an employer that will be checked against the range of expenditures reported by the employer in a random audit. As provided in § 3-6-106(a)(4) , information contained in statements filed with the commission for more than two (2) years shall not serve as the basis for a random audit. Nothing contained in this subdivision (22) shall prevent the commissioner, upon a finding of probable cause to believe that an employer or lobbyist has violated this part from initiating an investigatory audit; and (23) "Solicit" means to entreat, to implore, to ask, to attempt, or to try to obtain. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 94, s 2, eff. 4/4/2017. Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 35; 2006, ch. 773, § 1; 2007 , ch. 161, §§ 1, 2; 2008 , ch. 697, § 3.
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Administrative action" means the taking of any recommendation, report or nonministerial action; the making of any decision or taking any action to postpone any action or decision; action of the governor in approving or vetoing any bill or resolution; the promulgation of a rule; or any action of a quasi-legislative nature, by an official in the executive branch of state government; however, "administration action" does not include ordinary and routine permitting, licensing, or compliance decisions by an official of the executive branch of state government;
(2) "Association" means any union, league, chamber of commerce, committee, club, or other membership organization;
(3) "Attorney general" means the attorney general and reporter;
(4) "Campaign contribution" means any contribution as defined by § 2-10-102 ;
(5) "Candidate for public office" means any individual who has made a formal announcement of candidacy or who qualified under the law of this state to seek nomination for election or elections to any state public office, or has received contributions or made expenditures, except for incidental expenditures to determine if one shall be a candidate, or has given consent for a campaign committee to receive contributions or make expenditures, with a view to bringing about that person's nomination for election or the election to state public office, and any individual who has been nominated for appointment as an official in the legislative or executive branch;
(6) "Compensation" means any salary, fee, payment, reimbursement or other valuable consideration, or any combination thereof, whether received or to be received; however, "compensation" does not include the salary or reimbursement of an individual whose lobbying is incidental to that person's regular employment;
(7) "Employer of a lobbyist" or "employer" means any person or entity that employs, retains or otherwise arranges for a lobbyist to engage in lobbying on behalf of the person or entity for compensation. "Employer of a lobbyist" or "employer" specifically includes any such person or entity notwithstanding the lobbyist's status as an employee, agent, contractor, subcontractor or other representative lobbying on behalf of such person or entity for compensation. "Employer of a lobbyist" or "employer" does not include the individual employees, officers, directors, or members of a corporation, labor organization, association, or membership organization other than the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer or comparable individuals within such corporation, labor organization, association, or membership organization. For purposes of employer registration and disclosure pursuant to this part, a lobbying firm is not deemed to be the employer of any lobbyist within the firm;
(8) "Executive agency" means any commission, board, agency, or other entity in the executive branch of the state government or any independent entity of the state government that is not a part of the legislative or judicial branch;
(9) "Expenditure" means any advance, conveyance, deposit, distribution, transfer of funds, loan, payment, pledge, or subscription of money or anything of value, and any contract, agreement, promise, or other obligation, whether or not legally enforceable, to make an expenditure;
(10) "Gift" means any payment, honorarium, subscription, loan, advance, forbearance, rendering or deposit of money or services, unless consideration of equal or greater value is received. "Gift" does not include a campaign contribution otherwise reported as required by law, a commercially reasonable loan made in the ordinary course of business, or a gift received from a member of the person's immediate family or from a relative within the third degree of consanguinity of the person or of the person's spouse, or from the spouse of any such relative. "Gift" does not include the waiver of a registration fee for a conference or educational seminar;
(11) "Immediate family" means a spouse or minor child living in the household;
(12) "Influencing legislative or administrative action" means promoting, supporting, influencing, modifying, opposing or delaying any legislative or administrative action by any means, including, but not limited to, the provision or use of information, statistics, studies, or analyses, but not including the furnishing of information, statistics, studies, or analyses requested by an official of the legislative or executive branch to that official or the giving of testimony by an individual testifying at an official hearing conducted by officials of the legislative or executive branch;
(13) "Investigatory audit information" means data obtained pursuant to a finding of probable cause to believe that an employer or lobbyist has violated this part, including information pertaining to the source or amount of employer or lobbyist income, expenditures, receipts, assets, liabilities, net worth, or related financial or proprietary information that is received by, recorded by, prepared by, or collected by or on behalf of the ethics commission during the course of any audit, investigation or other examination undertaken for the purpose of ensuring compliance with, or imposing civil or criminal sanctions for violation of, this part. "Investigatory audit information" does not include data in a form that cannot, either directly or indirectly, be associated with, or otherwise be used to identify, directly or indirectly, a particular employer or lobbyist;
(14) "Legislative action" means introduction, sponsorship, debate, voting or any other nonministerial official action or nonaction on any bill, resolution, amendment, nomination, appointment, report or any other matter pending or proposed in a legislative committee or in either house of the general assembly;
(15) (A) "Lobby" means to communicate, directly or indirectly, with any official in the legislative branch or executive branch for the purpose of influencing any legislative action or administrative action; (B) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the legislative or executive branches by an elected or appointed public official performing the duties of the office held; a duly licensed attorney at law acting in a representative capacity on behalf of a client appearing before an official of the executive branch for the purpose of determining or obtaining such person's legal rights or obligations in a contested case action, administrative proceeding, or rule making procedure; or an editor or working member of the press, radio or television who, in the ordinary course of business, disseminates news or editorial comment to the general public; (C) "Lobby" does not mean communications by an incumbent or prospective contractor or vendor, or an employee of the contractor or vendor, while engaged in selling or marketing to the state, or any department or agency of the state, by demonstrating or describing goods or services to be provided or by inquiring about specifications, terms, conditions, timing, or similar commercial information. However, the contractor or vendor, or employee of the contractor or vendor, shall be deemed to be a lobbyist, solely for the purposes of § 3-6-305 , if actively engaged in selling or marketing to an official in the executive branch or an official in the legislative branch whose duty it is to vote for, let out, overlook, or in any manner to superintend any work or any contract so marketed or sold; (D) "Lobby" does not mean communications by an employee of a school board, municipal utility, utility district, or any department, agency or entity of state, county or municipal government; provided, however, that, if the board, utility, district, department, agency or entity employs, retains or otherwise arranges for lobbyist services in this state by a contractor, subcontractor or other representative who is not an employee of such board, utility, district, department, agency or entity, then "lobby" includes communications by the contractor, subcontractor or other representative, and the contractor, subcontractor or other representative shall comply with the lobbying registration and other provisions of this part pertaining to lobbyists; provided further, however, that the board, utility, district, department, agency or entity that employs the contractor, subcontractor or other representative is not deemed to be an employer of a lobbyist for purposes of this part; (E) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the executive branch by any person to promote, oppose, or otherwise influence the outcome of a decision related to the issuance or award of a bond, grant, lease, loan or incentive pursuant to §§ 4-3-701 - 4-3-733; and (F) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the executive branch by any person to promote, oppose, or otherwise influence the outcome of a decision related to any component of an economic development incentive package; provided, that any person who is otherwise required to register as a lobbyist under the Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), shall not be deemed to fall within this exception;
(A) "Lobby" means to communicate, directly or indirectly, with any official in the legislative branch or executive branch for the purpose of influencing any legislative action or administrative action;
(B) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the legislative or executive branches by an elected or appointed public official performing the duties of the office held; a duly licensed attorney at law acting in a representative capacity on behalf of a client appearing before an official of the executive branch for the purpose of determining or obtaining such person's legal rights or obligations in a contested case action, administrative proceeding, or rule making procedure; or an editor or working member of the press, radio or television who, in the ordinary course of business, disseminates news or editorial comment to the general public;
(C) "Lobby" does not mean communications by an incumbent or prospective contractor or vendor, or an employee of the contractor or vendor, while engaged in selling or marketing to the state, or any department or agency of the state, by demonstrating or describing goods or services to be provided or by inquiring about specifications, terms, conditions, timing, or similar commercial information. However, the contractor or vendor, or employee of the contractor or vendor, shall be deemed to be a lobbyist, solely for the purposes of § 3-6-305 , if actively engaged in selling or marketing to an official in the executive branch or an official in the legislative branch whose duty it is to vote for, let out, overlook, or in any manner to superintend any work or any contract so marketed or sold;
(D) "Lobby" does not mean communications by an employee of a school board, municipal utility, utility district, or any department, agency or entity of state, county or municipal government; provided, however, that, if the board, utility, district, department, agency or entity employs, retains or otherwise arranges for lobbyist services in this state by a contractor, subcontractor or other representative who is not an employee of such board, utility, district, department, agency or entity, then "lobby" includes communications by the contractor, subcontractor or other representative, and the contractor, subcontractor or other representative shall comply with the lobbying registration and other provisions of this part pertaining to lobbyists; provided further, however, that the board, utility, district, department, agency or entity that employs the contractor, subcontractor or other representative is not deemed to be an employer of a lobbyist for purposes of this part;
(E) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the executive branch by any person to promote, oppose, or otherwise influence the outcome of a decision related to the issuance or award of a bond, grant, lease, loan or incentive pursuant to §§ 4-3-701 - 4-3-733; and
(F) "Lobby" does not mean communications with officials of the executive branch by any person to promote, oppose, or otherwise influence the outcome of a decision related to any component of an economic development incentive package; provided, that any person who is otherwise required to register as a lobbyist under the Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act of 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), shall not be deemed to fall within this exception;
(16) "Lobbying firm" means any firm, corporation, partnership or other business entity that regularly supplies lobbying services to others for compensation;
(17) "Lobbyist" means any person who engages in lobbying for compensation;
(18) "Ministerial action" means an action that a person performs in a prescribed manner in obedience to the mandate of legal authority, without regard to, or the exercise of, the person's own judgment upon the propriety of the action being taken;
(19) "Official in the executive branch" means the governor, any member of the governor's staff, any member or employee of a state regulatory commission, including, without limitation, commissioners of the Tennessee public utility commission, or any member or employee of any executive department or agency or other state body in the executive branch. "Official in the executive branch" also includes any administrative governmental official or employee of any county exercising the authority set forth in § 8-17-103(b) ;
(20) "Official in the legislative branch" means any member, member-elect, any staff person or employee of the general assembly or any member of a commission established by and responsible to the general assembly or either house of the general assembly who takes legislative action. "Official in the legislative branch" also includes the secretary of state, treasurer, and comptroller of the treasury and any employee of those offices. "Official in the legislative branch" also includes any legislative governmental official or employee of any county exercising the authority set forth in § 8-17-103(b) ;
(21) "Person" means any individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, labor organization, or any other organization or group of persons;
(22) "Random audit information" means information obtained pursuant to an examination of a lobbyist's employment contract, job description or other documentation in order to determine that no contingency fee arrangement prohibited under § 3-6-304(k) is included and that the date of employment as a lobbyist is consistent with the registration statements filed by both the lobbyist and employer. "Random audit information" also means information obtained pursuant to a review of the total lobbying and lobbying-related compensation and expenses paid to the lobbyist by an employer that will be checked against the range of expenditures reported by the employer in a random audit. As provided in § 3-6-106(a)(4) , information contained in statements filed with the commission for more than two (2) years shall not serve as the basis for a random audit. Nothing contained in this subdivision (22) shall prevent the commissioner, upon a finding of probable cause to believe that an employer or lobbyist has violated this part from initiating an investigatory audit; and
(23) "Solicit" means to entreat, to implore, to ask, to attempt, or to try to obtain.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 94, s 2, eff. 4/4/2017.
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 35; 2006, ch. 773, § 1; 2007 , ch. 161, §§ 1, 2; 2008 , ch. 697, § 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-303 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 6 / Section 3-6-303
Biannual employer disclosure reports
Status: in_force

(a) Within forty-five (45) days following conclusion of the six-month periods ending June 30 and December 31, each employer of a lobbyist shall electronically file with the ethics commission the employer disclosure report. For the six-month period, the report shall disclose the following information on a single electronic form: (1) The aggregate total amount of lobbyist compensation paid by the employer. For purposes of the disclosure, compensation paid to any lobbyist who performs duties for the employer in addition to lobbying and related activities shall be apportioned to reflect the lobbyist's time allocated for lobbying and related activities in this state. The aggregate total amount of such lobbyist compensation shall be reported within one (1) of the following ranges: (A) Less than $10,000; (B) At least $10,000 but less than $25,000; (C) At least $25,000 but less than $50,000; (D) At least $50,000 but less than $100,000; (E) At least $100,000 but less than $150,000; (F) At least $150,000 but less than $200,000; (G) At least $200,000 but less than $250,000; (H) At least $250,000 but less than $300,000; (I) At least $300,000 but less than $350,000; (J) At least $350,000 but less than $400,000; or (K) $400,000 or more; provided, however, that, if the aggregate total amount is reported within this range, then the employer shall round the aggregate total amount to the nearest $50,000 and also report the rounded amount within the disclosure report; (2) Excluding lobbyist compensation, the aggregate total amount of employer expenditures incurred for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action through public opinion or grassroots action, including, but not necessarily limited to, any such expenditures for printing, publishing, advertising, broadcasting, paid announcements, audiotapes, videotapes, compact discs, digital video discs, infomercials, rallies, demonstrations, seminars, lectures, conferences, postage, telephone-related costs, internet-related services, public relations services, governmental relations services, polling services, travel expenses, grants to issue groups or grassroots organizations, or any similar expense. For purposes of this disclosure, any such expenditure that is made for the purpose of achieving a multistate effect shall be apportioned equally among such states. The aggregate total amount of these employer expenditures shall be reported within one (1) of the following ranges: (A) Less than $10,000; (B) At least $10,000 but less than $25,000; (C) At least $25,000 but less than $50,000; (D) At least $50,000 but less than $100,000; (E) At least $100,000 but less than $150,000; (F) At least $150,000 but less than $200,000; (G) At least $200,000 but less than $250,000; (H) At least $250,000 but less than $300,000; (I) At least $300,000 but less than $350,000; (J) At least $350,000 but less than $400,000; or (K) $400,000 or more; provided, however, if the aggregate total amount is reported within this range, then the employer shall round the aggregate total amount to the nearest $50,000 and also report the rounded amount within the disclosure report; and (3) The aggregate total amount of all employer expenditures for any event permissible under § 3-6-305(b)(8) . (b) Employer disclosure reports shall be promptly posted on the commission's website. Any such posting of an employer's aggregate total expenditures disclosed pursuant to subdivision (a)(3) shall be supplemented by the commission with other information related to such event or events, delivered or reported to the commission pursuant to § 3-6-305(b)(8) . Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 35; 2011 , ch. 98, § 1.
(a) Within forty-five (45) days following conclusion of the six-month periods ending June 30 and December 31, each employer of a lobbyist shall electronically file with the ethics commission the employer disclosure report. For the six-month period, the report shall disclose the following information on a single electronic form: (1) The aggregate total amount of lobbyist compensation paid by the employer. For purposes of the disclosure, compensation paid to any lobbyist who performs duties for the employer in addition to lobbying and related activities shall be apportioned to reflect the lobbyist's time allocated for lobbying and related activities in this state. The aggregate total amount of such lobbyist compensation shall be reported within one (1) of the following ranges: (A) Less than $10,000; (B) At least $10,000 but less than $25,000; (C) At least $25,000 but less than $50,000; (D) At least $50,000 but less than $100,000; (E) At least $100,000 but less than $150,000; (F) At least $150,000 but less than $200,000; (G) At least $200,000 but less than $250,000; (H) At least $250,000 but less than $300,000; (I) At least $300,000 but less than $350,000; (J) At least $350,000 but less than $400,000; or (K) $400,000 or more; provided, however, that, if the aggregate total amount is reported within this range, then the employer shall round the aggregate total amount to the nearest $50,000 and also report the rounded amount within the disclosure report; (2) Excluding lobbyist compensation, the aggregate total amount of employer expenditures incurred for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action through public opinion or grassroots action, including, but not necessarily limited to, any such expenditures for printing, publishing, advertising, broadcasting, paid announcements, audiotapes, videotapes, compact discs, digital video discs, infomercials, rallies, demonstrations, seminars, lectures, conferences, postage, telephone-related costs, internet-related services, public relations services, governmental relations services, polling services, travel expenses, grants to issue groups or grassroots organizations, or any similar expense. For purposes of this disclosure, any such expenditure that is made for the purpose of achieving a multistate effect shall be apportioned equally among such states. The aggregate total amount of these employer expenditures shall be reported within one (1) of the following ranges: (A) Less than $10,000; (B) At least $10,000 but less than $25,000; (C) At least $25,000 but less than $50,000; (D) At least $50,000 but less than $100,000; (E) At least $100,000 but less than $150,000; (F) At least $150,000 but less than $200,000; (G) At least $200,000 but less than $250,000; (H) At least $250,000 but less than $300,000; (I) At least $300,000 but less than $350,000; (J) At least $350,000 but less than $400,000; or (K) $400,000 or more; provided, however, if the aggregate total amount is reported within this range, then the employer shall round the aggregate total amount to the nearest $50,000 and also report the rounded amount within the disclosure report; and (3) The aggregate total amount of all employer expenditures for any event permissible under § 3-6-305(b)(8) .
(1) The aggregate total amount of lobbyist compensation paid by the employer. For purposes of the disclosure, compensation paid to any lobbyist who performs duties for the employer in addition to lobbying and related activities shall be apportioned to reflect the lobbyist's time allocated for lobbying and related activities in this state. The aggregate total amount of such lobbyist compensation shall be reported within one (1) of the following ranges: (A) Less than $10,000; (B) At least $10,000 but less than $25,000; (C) At least $25,000 but less than $50,000; (D) At least $50,000 but less than $100,000; (E) At least $100,000 but less than $150,000; (F) At least $150,000 but less than $200,000; (G) At least $200,000 but less than $250,000; (H) At least $250,000 but less than $300,000; (I) At least $300,000 but less than $350,000; (J) At least $350,000 but less than $400,000; or (K) $400,000 or more; provided, however, that, if the aggregate total amount is reported within this range, then the employer shall round the aggregate total amount to the nearest $50,000 and also report the rounded amount within the disclosure report;
(A) Less than $10,000;
(B) At least $10,000 but less than $25,000;
(C) At least $25,000 but less than $50,000;
(D) At least $50,000 but less than $100,000;
(E) At least $100,000 but less than $150,000;
(F) At least $150,000 but less than $200,000;
(G) At least $200,000 but less than $250,000;
(H) At least $250,000 but less than $300,000;
(I) At least $300,000 but less than $350,000;
(J) At least $350,000 but less than $400,000; or
(K) $400,000 or more; provided, however, that, if the aggregate total amount is reported within this range, then the employer shall round the aggregate total amount to the nearest $50,000 and also report the rounded amount within the disclosure report;
(2) Excluding lobbyist compensation, the aggregate total amount of employer expenditures incurred for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action through public opinion or grassroots action, including, but not necessarily limited to, any such expenditures for printing, publishing, advertising, broadcasting, paid announcements, audiotapes, videotapes, compact discs, digital video discs, infomercials, rallies, demonstrations, seminars, lectures, conferences, postage, telephone-related costs, internet-related services, public relations services, governmental relations services, polling services, travel expenses, grants to issue groups or grassroots organizations, or any similar expense. For purposes of this disclosure, any such expenditure that is made for the purpose of achieving a multistate effect shall be apportioned equally among such states. The aggregate total amount of these employer expenditures shall be reported within one (1) of the following ranges: (A) Less than $10,000; (B) At least $10,000 but less than $25,000; (C) At least $25,000 but less than $50,000; (D) At least $50,000 but less than $100,000; (E) At least $100,000 but less than $150,000; (F) At least $150,000 but less than $200,000; (G) At least $200,000 but less than $250,000; (H) At least $250,000 but less than $300,000; (I) At least $300,000 but less than $350,000; (J) At least $350,000 but less than $400,000; or (K) $400,000 or more; provided, however, if the aggregate total amount is reported within this range, then the employer shall round the aggregate total amount to the nearest $50,000 and also report the rounded amount within the disclosure report; and
(A) Less than $10,000;
(B) At least $10,000 but less than $25,000;
(C) At least $25,000 but less than $50,000;
(D) At least $50,000 but less than $100,000;
(E) At least $100,000 but less than $150,000;
(F) At least $150,000 but less than $200,000;
(G) At least $200,000 but less than $250,000;
(H) At least $250,000 but less than $300,000;
(I) At least $300,000 but less than $350,000;
(J) At least $350,000 but less than $400,000; or
(K) $400,000 or more; provided, however, if the aggregate total amount is reported within this range, then the employer shall round the aggregate total amount to the nearest $50,000 and also report the rounded amount within the disclosure report; and
(3) The aggregate total amount of all employer expenditures for any event permissible under § 3-6-305(b)(8) .
(b) Employer disclosure reports shall be promptly posted on the commission's website. Any such posting of an employer's aggregate total expenditures disclosed pursuant to subdivision (a)(3) shall be supplemented by the commission with other information related to such event or events, delivered or reported to the commission pursuant to § 3-6-305(b)(8) .
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 35; 2011 , ch. 98, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-1-109 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-1-109
Office space, equipment, and supplies
Status: in_force

The county legislative body of any county having a population of not less than eighty-three thousand three hundred (83,300) and not more than eighty-three thousand four hundred (83,400), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent census shall be authorized to provide any member of the general assembly representing such county, or any part thereof, with suitable office space, office furniture, equipment, and supplies. Such office shall be located in such county in a location determined by the county legislative body. Acts 1983, ch. 301, § 1.
The county legislative body of any county having a population of not less than eighty-three thousand three hundred (83,300) and not more than eighty-three thousand four hundred (83,400), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent census shall be authorized to provide any member of the general assembly representing such county, or any part thereof, with suitable office space, office furniture, equipment, and supplies. Such office shall be located in such county in a location determined by the county legislative body.
Acts 1983, ch. 301, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-117 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 6 / Section 3-6-117
Exclusive authority to issue formal advisory opinions
Status: in_force

(a) The commission is the only entity authorized to issue formal advisory opinions on matters related to this chapter, § 2-10-115 , §§ 2-10-122 - 2-10-130, and title 8, chapter 50, part 5; provided, that the commission may request an opinion from the attorney general and reporter on legal issues that may be presented in a request for a formal advisory opinion. With respect to an issue addressed in a formal advisory opinion, a person who conforms that person's behavior to the requirements of the advisory opinion must not be sanctioned if it is later determined that the advisory opinion did not correctly interpret state law. A person who requests an advisory opinion may withdraw the request at any time before the opinion is issued, in which case the commission shall not issue the opinion. (b) (1) Except as provided in this subsection (b), a person performing staff duties as an employee of the commission shall not issue an advisory opinion under subsection (a), including an informal response. (2) A person performing staff duties as the executive director, assistant executive director, or as an attorney may give informal advisory opinions to a person subject to the jurisdiction of the commission in accordance with this subsection (b). The executive director shall approve all such informal opinions issued under this subsection (b). (3) An informal opinion must be based on such information, the operative provisions of the cited statute, and the legislative history and intent pertaining to the statutory provisions, as evidenced by legislative committee and floor actions, discussions, and debates. In addition, the informal opinion must indicate whether a statute or a previous opinion is clear or unclear on the issue. An informal advisory opinion may be given verbally or in writing by either regular mail or electronic mail, but a verbal advisory opinion must be verified in writing by either regular mail or electronic mail in order to receive the consideration provided in subdivision (b)(4). (4) If the person who requested the informal advisory opinion conforms the person's behavior to the requirements of the informal opinion, then the person must not be sanctioned if it is later determined that the informal opinion was not a correct response or incorrectly interpreted state law or previous commission advisory opinions on the issue. (5) The commission shall make and keep records of all written inquiries and all written informal advisory opinions given, including the name of the person or entity making the inquiry, as applicable; on behalf of whom the inquiry was made; the date of the inquiry; the person responding to the inquiry; the precise inquiry, including the facts and background information provided; the section or sections of statute involved; and the answer or response given. (6) An informal response is subject to review or modification by the commission. A person who disputes the informal advisory opinion given by a staff employee in subdivision (b)(2) may request a formal advisory opinion from the commission. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 37, s 4, eff. 3/14/2023. Acts 2008 , ch. 1182, § 4.
(a) The commission is the only entity authorized to issue formal advisory opinions on matters related to this chapter, § 2-10-115 , §§ 2-10-122 - 2-10-130, and title 8, chapter 50, part 5; provided, that the commission may request an opinion from the attorney general and reporter on legal issues that may be presented in a request for a formal advisory opinion. With respect to an issue addressed in a formal advisory opinion, a person who conforms that person's behavior to the requirements of the advisory opinion must not be sanctioned if it is later determined that the advisory opinion did not correctly interpret state law. A person who requests an advisory opinion may withdraw the request at any time before the opinion is issued, in which case the commission shall not issue the opinion.
(b) (1) Except as provided in this subsection (b), a person performing staff duties as an employee of the commission shall not issue an advisory opinion under subsection (a), including an informal response. (2) A person performing staff duties as the executive director, assistant executive director, or as an attorney may give informal advisory opinions to a person subject to the jurisdiction of the commission in accordance with this subsection (b). The executive director shall approve all such informal opinions issued under this subsection (b). (3) An informal opinion must be based on such information, the operative provisions of the cited statute, and the legislative history and intent pertaining to the statutory provisions, as evidenced by legislative committee and floor actions, discussions, and debates. In addition, the informal opinion must indicate whether a statute or a previous opinion is clear or unclear on the issue. An informal advisory opinion may be given verbally or in writing by either regular mail or electronic mail, but a verbal advisory opinion must be verified in writing by either regular mail or electronic mail in order to receive the consideration provided in subdivision (b)(4). (4) If the person who requested the informal advisory opinion conforms the person's behavior to the requirements of the informal opinion, then the person must not be sanctioned if it is later determined that the informal opinion was not a correct response or incorrectly interpreted state law or previous commission advisory opinions on the issue. (5) The commission shall make and keep records of all written inquiries and all written informal advisory opinions given, including the name of the person or entity making the inquiry, as applicable; on behalf of whom the inquiry was made; the date of the inquiry; the person responding to the inquiry; the precise inquiry, including the facts and background information provided; the section or sections of statute involved; and the answer or response given. (6) An informal response is subject to review or modification by the commission. A person who disputes the informal advisory opinion given by a staff employee in subdivision (b)(2) may request a formal advisory opinion from the commission.
(1) Except as provided in this subsection (b), a person performing staff duties as an employee of the commission shall not issue an advisory opinion under subsection (a), including an informal response.
(2) A person performing staff duties as the executive director, assistant executive director, or as an attorney may give informal advisory opinions to a person subject to the jurisdiction of the commission in accordance with this subsection (b). The executive director shall approve all such informal opinions issued under this subsection (b).
(3) An informal opinion must be based on such information, the operative provisions of the cited statute, and the legislative history and intent pertaining to the statutory provisions, as evidenced by legislative committee and floor actions, discussions, and debates. In addition, the informal opinion must indicate whether a statute or a previous opinion is clear or unclear on the issue. An informal advisory opinion may be given verbally or in writing by either regular mail or electronic mail, but a verbal advisory opinion must be verified in writing by either regular mail or electronic mail in order to receive the consideration provided in subdivision (b)(4).
(4) If the person who requested the informal advisory opinion conforms the person's behavior to the requirements of the informal opinion, then the person must not be sanctioned if it is later determined that the informal opinion was not a correct response or incorrectly interpreted state law or previous commission advisory opinions on the issue.
(5) The commission shall make and keep records of all written inquiries and all written informal advisory opinions given, including the name of the person or entity making the inquiry, as applicable; on behalf of whom the inquiry was made; the date of the inquiry; the person responding to the inquiry; the precise inquiry, including the facts and background information provided; the section or sections of statute involved; and the answer or response given.
(6) An informal response is subject to review or modification by the commission. A person who disputes the informal advisory opinion given by a staff employee in subdivision (b)(2) may request a formal advisory opinion from the commission.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 37, s 4, eff. 3/14/2023.
Acts 2008 , ch. 1182, § 4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-206 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 6 / Section 3-6-206
Register of unpaid penalties - Effect of unpaid penalties
Status: in_force

(a) The Tennessee ethics commission shall maintain a register of all civil penalties imposed under this chapter and remaining unpaid. (b) If a civil penalty lawfully assessed and any lawfully assessed cost attendant to the penalty are not paid within thirty (30) days after the assessment becomes final, any candidate owing a civil penalty shall be ineligible to qualify for election to any state public office until the penalty and costs are paid. (c) If a civil penalty authorized by this section is imposed, it shall be considered a personal judgment against the person subject to the civil penalty. Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 27.
(a) The Tennessee ethics commission shall maintain a register of all civil penalties imposed under this chapter and remaining unpaid.
(b) If a civil penalty lawfully assessed and any lawfully assessed cost attendant to the penalty are not paid within thirty (30) days after the assessment becomes final, any candidate owing a civil penalty shall be ineligible to qualify for election to any state public office until the penalty and costs are paid.
(c) If a civil penalty authorized by this section is imposed, it shall be considered a personal judgment against the person subject to the civil penalty.
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 27.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-208 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 6 / Section 3-6-208
Sanctions for unsubstantiated complaints - Immunity
Status: in_force

(a) If the commission determines that a person: (1) Filed a complaint or provided information that resulted in an investigation knowing that the material statements in the complaint or the information provided was not true; (2) Filed an unsubstantiated complaint in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the statements contained in the complaint; or (3) Filed one (1) or more unsubstantiated complaints that constituted abuse of process, then the complainant is subject to the civil penalties authorized by § 3-6-205(a)(2) and may be liable for any reasonable costs and reasonable attorney fees the alleged violator has incurred. The commission may also decline to consider any further complaints brought by the complainant. (b) The sanctions authorized by subsection (a) are not exclusive and do not preclude any other remedies or rights of action the alleged violator may have against the complainant or informant under the law; provided, that any person who in good faith files a verified complaint or any person, official, or agency that gives credible information that results in a formal complaint filed by the commission is immune from any civil liability that otherwise might result by reason of such actions. Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 27.
(a) If the commission determines that a person: (1) Filed a complaint or provided information that resulted in an investigation knowing that the material statements in the complaint or the information provided was not true; (2) Filed an unsubstantiated complaint in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the statements contained in the complaint; or (3) Filed one (1) or more unsubstantiated complaints that constituted abuse of process, then the complainant is subject to the civil penalties authorized by § 3-6-205(a)(2) and may be liable for any reasonable costs and reasonable attorney fees the alleged violator has incurred. The commission may also decline to consider any further complaints brought by the complainant.
(1) Filed a complaint or provided information that resulted in an investigation knowing that the material statements in the complaint or the information provided was not true;
(2) Filed an unsubstantiated complaint in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the statements contained in the complaint; or
(3) Filed one (1) or more unsubstantiated complaints that constituted abuse of process, then the complainant is subject to the civil penalties authorized by § 3-6-205(a)(2) and may be liable for any reasonable costs and reasonable attorney fees the alleged violator has incurred. The commission may also decline to consider any further complaints brought by the complainant.
then the complainant is subject to the civil penalties authorized by § 3-6-205(a)(2) and may be liable for any reasonable costs and reasonable attorney fees the alleged violator has incurred. The commission may also decline to consider any further complaints brought by the complainant.
(b) The sanctions authorized by subsection (a) are not exclusive and do not preclude any other remedies or rights of action the alleged violator may have against the complainant or informant under the law; provided, that any person who in good faith files a verified complaint or any person, official, or agency that gives credible information that results in a formal complaint filed by the commission is immune from any civil liability that otherwise might result by reason of such actions.
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 27.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-17-115 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 17 / Section 3-17-115
Rules and regulations by secretary of state
Status: in_force

(a) The secretary of state is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as the secretary of state may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. (b) Notwithstanding §§ 4-5-208 and 4-5-209 or any other law to the contrary, the secretary of state is authorized to promulgate emergency rules to implement this chapter. (c) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules to regulate bingo. The rules must include limits on prizes, prohibitions on hiring entities to run the bingo games, requirements that the bingo games be conducted by volunteers, and any other rules the secretary deems necessary to maintain safety and fairness. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 473, s 2, eff. 7/1/2021. Acts 2004, ch. 476, §11; 2009 , ch. 566, § 12.
(a) The secretary of state is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as the secretary of state may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
(b) Notwithstanding §§ 4-5-208 and 4-5-209 or any other law to the contrary, the secretary of state is authorized to promulgate emergency rules to implement this chapter.
(c) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules to regulate bingo. The rules must include limits on prizes, prohibitions on hiring entities to run the bingo games, requirements that the bingo games be conducted by volunteers, and any other rules the secretary deems necessary to maintain safety and fairness.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 473, s 2, eff. 7/1/2021.
Acts 2004, ch. 476, §11; 2009 , ch. 566, § 12.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-7-101 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 7 / Section 3-7-101
Creation - Membership
Status: in_force

(a) There is created a special, continuing committee of the general assembly, to be known as the fiscal review committee. (b) (1) (A) It shall be composed of the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chair of the senate standing committee on finance, ways and means (or if the committee has co-chairs, then one (1) of them, to be designated by the speaker), the chair of the house standing committee on finance, ways and means (or if the committee has co-chairs, then one (1) of them, to be designated by the speaker), all ex officio members, and fourteen (14) members to be elected as follows: (B) Seven (7) senators and seven (7) representatives to be elected by the respective houses of the general assembly, with each house to elect an appropriate number of members from each of the two (2) major political parties so that the political make-up of the committee, exclusive of the speakers, shall reflect as nearly as possible the same ratio of members of such parties as the parties are represented in the respective houses. Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1)(A), however, no political party shall have less than two (2) elective members from each house of the general assembly. (2) After committee membership is selected pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) and subsection (c), if the required political party ratio or minimum representation is undermined by changed circumstances other than a vacancy in the committee membership, then the required party ratio or minimum representation shall be promptly restored via appointment of an additional interim member or members by the appropriate speaker. The term of any member so appointed shall terminate at the next regular election of committee membership conducted pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) and subsection (c). (c) Committee members shall serve for their full term of office as legislators and until their successors are selected and qualified, if reelected to either house of the general assembly. Members are eligible to succeed themselves as members of the committee. As terms expire, successors shall be selected during the fifteen-day organizational session of each general assembly. (d) Vacancies among the membership shall be filled in the same manner as in the original selection of members, except that in the case of a vacancy in the elected membership when the general assembly is not in session, the speaker of the body from which the originally elected member came shall appoint a successor, who shall be from the same political party as the member's predecessor. (e) The committee shall elect from its membership a chair, a vice chair, and such other officers as it considers necessary. The chair and vice chair shall be of opposite houses of the general assembly so that one (1) is a member of the senate and one (1) is a member of the house of representatives. The chair and vice chair positions shall rotate between the senate and house of representatives every two (2) years. (f) All members of the committee, exclusive of the speakers, shall be voting members. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 476,Secs.s2, s3 eff. 1/1/2021. Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 297,s 1, eff. 4/24/2015. Acts 1967, ch. 12, § 1; 1967, ch. 198, § 1; 1969, ch. 190, § 1; modified; Acts 1973, ch. 199, § 1; T.C.A., § 3-701; Acts 1981, ch. 28, § 1; 2006, ch. 646, § 2.
(a) There is created a special, continuing committee of the general assembly, to be known as the fiscal review committee.
(b) (1) (A) It shall be composed of the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chair of the senate standing committee on finance, ways and means (or if the committee has co-chairs, then one (1) of them, to be designated by the speaker), the chair of the house standing committee on finance, ways and means (or if the committee has co-chairs, then one (1) of them, to be designated by the speaker), all ex officio members, and fourteen (14) members to be elected as follows: (B) Seven (7) senators and seven (7) representatives to be elected by the respective houses of the general assembly, with each house to elect an appropriate number of members from each of the two (2) major political parties so that the political make-up of the committee, exclusive of the speakers, shall reflect as nearly as possible the same ratio of members of such parties as the parties are represented in the respective houses. Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1)(A), however, no political party shall have less than two (2) elective members from each house of the general assembly. (2) After committee membership is selected pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) and subsection (c), if the required political party ratio or minimum representation is undermined by changed circumstances other than a vacancy in the committee membership, then the required party ratio or minimum representation shall be promptly restored via appointment of an additional interim member or members by the appropriate speaker. The term of any member so appointed shall terminate at the next regular election of committee membership conducted pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) and subsection (c).
(1) (A) It shall be composed of the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chair of the senate standing committee on finance, ways and means (or if the committee has co-chairs, then one (1) of them, to be designated by the speaker), the chair of the house standing committee on finance, ways and means (or if the committee has co-chairs, then one (1) of them, to be designated by the speaker), all ex officio members, and fourteen (14) members to be elected as follows: (B) Seven (7) senators and seven (7) representatives to be elected by the respective houses of the general assembly, with each house to elect an appropriate number of members from each of the two (2) major political parties so that the political make-up of the committee, exclusive of the speakers, shall reflect as nearly as possible the same ratio of members of such parties as the parties are represented in the respective houses. Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1)(A), however, no political party shall have less than two (2) elective members from each house of the general assembly.
(A) It shall be composed of the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chair of the senate standing committee on finance, ways and means (or if the committee has co-chairs, then one (1) of them, to be designated by the speaker), the chair of the house standing committee on finance, ways and means (or if the committee has co-chairs, then one (1) of them, to be designated by the speaker), all ex officio members, and fourteen (14) members to be elected as follows:
(B) Seven (7) senators and seven (7) representatives to be elected by the respective houses of the general assembly, with each house to elect an appropriate number of members from each of the two (2) major political parties so that the political make-up of the committee, exclusive of the speakers, shall reflect as nearly as possible the same ratio of members of such parties as the parties are represented in the respective houses. Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1)(A), however, no political party shall have less than two (2) elective members from each house of the general assembly.
(2) After committee membership is selected pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) and subsection (c), if the required political party ratio or minimum representation is undermined by changed circumstances other than a vacancy in the committee membership, then the required party ratio or minimum representation shall be promptly restored via appointment of an additional interim member or members by the appropriate speaker. The term of any member so appointed shall terminate at the next regular election of committee membership conducted pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) and subsection (c).
(c) Committee members shall serve for their full term of office as legislators and until their successors are selected and qualified, if reelected to either house of the general assembly. Members are eligible to succeed themselves as members of the committee. As terms expire, successors shall be selected during the fifteen-day organizational session of each general assembly.
(d) Vacancies among the membership shall be filled in the same manner as in the original selection of members, except that in the case of a vacancy in the elected membership when the general assembly is not in session, the speaker of the body from which the originally elected member came shall appoint a successor, who shall be from the same political party as the member's predecessor.
(e) The committee shall elect from its membership a chair, a vice chair, and such other officers as it considers necessary. The chair and vice chair shall be of opposite houses of the general assembly so that one (1) is a member of the senate and one (1) is a member of the house of representatives. The chair and vice chair positions shall rotate between the senate and house of representatives every two (2) years.
(f) All members of the committee, exclusive of the speakers, shall be voting members.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 476,Secs.s2, s3 eff. 1/1/2021.
Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 297,s 1, eff. 4/24/2015.
Acts 1967, ch. 12, § 1; 1967, ch. 198, § 1; 1969, ch. 190, § 1; modified; Acts 1973, ch. 199, § 1; T.C.A., § 3-701; Acts 1981, ch. 28, § 1; 2006, ch. 646, § 2.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-14-106 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 14 / Section 3-14-106
Division of advocacy - Duties
Status: in_force

The office of program evaluation shall have a permanent division of advocacy for the developmentally disabled which may perform, or contract for the performance of, those advocacy functions required by federal law. The division may receive and expend, through the office of program evaluation, such federal funds as are or may become available under federal law as well as any state funds appropriated for its purposes. Acts 1977, ch. 317, § 5; T.C.A., § 3-1406.
The office of program evaluation shall have a permanent division of advocacy for the developmentally disabled which may perform, or contract for the performance of, those advocacy functions required by federal law. The division may receive and expend, through the office of program evaluation, such federal funds as are or may become available under federal law as well as any state funds appropriated for its purposes.
Acts 1977, ch. 317, § 5; T.C.A., § 3-1406.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-6-309 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 6 / Section 3-6-309
Registration of person in default on student loans
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Commission" means the Tennessee ethics commission or other governmental body authorized by statute to register lobbyists; (2) "Guarantee agency" means a guarantor of student loans that has an agreement with the United States secretary of education; and (3) "TSAC" means the Tennessee student assistance corporation. (b) (1) Upon receiving a copy of a final order as provided in subsection (c) from TSAC or a guarantee agency, the commission shall suspend, deny or revoke the registration of any individual lobbyist who has defaulted on a repayment or service obligation under any federal family education loan program, the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.), a student loan guaranteed or administered by TSAC, or any other state or federal educational loan or service-conditional scholarship program. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), the commission may elect not to suspend, deny, or revoke the registration of a lobbyist if the commission determines that the default or delinquency is the result of a medical hardship that prevented the person from working in the person's licensed field and the medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency. (c) (1) The commission shall accept any determination of default from TSAC or a guarantee agency, after TSAC or the guarantee agency has afforded a debtor an opportunity to be heard in accordance with subdivision (c)(2); and the commission shall rescind any disciplinary action and restore any registration upon receiving notice from TSAC or the guarantee agency that the individual has agreed to serve the individual's obligation or is in compliance with an approved repayment plan. (2) (A) Unless a debtor has made satisfactory arrangements according to the lender, TSAC or the guarantee agency, which may include administrative wage garnishment, voluntary payment arrangements, deferment or forbearance, then the debtor shall be regarded as delinquent or in default. If a debtor is delinquent or in default on a repayment or service obligation under a guaranteed student loan identified in subsection (b), or the debtor has failed to enter into a payment plan, agree to a service obligation or comply with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, then TSAC or the guarantee agency shall issue to the debtor a notice of intent to file an order with the appropriate licensing authority to seek to suspend, deny or revoke the debtor's registration. The notice shall: (i) Be served upon the debtor personally or by certified mail with return receipt requested; and (ii) State that the debtor's registration shall be suspended, denied or revoked ninety (90) days after service unless within that time the debtor: (a) Pays the entire debt stated in the notice; (b) Enters into a payment plan, service obligation or complies with a payment plan previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Requests and qualifies for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (d) Requests a hearing before TSAC or the guarantee agency. (B) The hearing request by the debtor shall be made in writing and must be received by TSAC or the guarantee agency within twenty (20) days of the date the notice is served. (C) TSAC or the guarantee agency, upon receipt of a request for a hearing from the debtor, shall schedule a hearing to determine whether a determination of delinquency or default which could result in suspension, denial or revocation of the debtor's registration is appropriate. The debtor's registration may not be suspended, denied or revoked until a determination is reached following the hearing. The issues that may be determined in the hearing are: (i) The amount of the debt, if any; (ii) Whether the debtor is delinquent or in default; and (iii) Whether the debtor: (a) Has entered into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (b) Is willing to enter into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Is willing to comply with a payment plan or service obligation previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (iv) Whether the debtor is eligible for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (v) Whether the debtor's default or delinquency is the result of a medical hardship that prevented the debtor from working in the person's licensed field and the medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency. (D) If a debtor, without good cause, fails to respond to the notice of intent, fails to timely request a hearing, or fails to appear at a regularly scheduled hearing, the debtor's defenses, objections, or request for a payment plan or compliance with a payment plan may be determined to be without merit; and TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter a final decision and order, requesting suspension, denial or revocation of the debtor's registration, and further requesting the commission to order the debtor to refrain from engaging in lobbying. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor. (E) The administrative hearings shall be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations adopted under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. (F) (i) When TSAC or the guarantee agency determines that the debt is paid in full or the debtor has entered into a payment plan, entered into a service obligation, is otherwise in satisfactory compliance or complied with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter an order requesting that the commission terminate the order suspending, denying or revoking the registration. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, when the registration is reinstated, the commission shall not impose a reinstatement fee that exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00). (ii) Entry of an order seeking to terminate suspension, denial or revocation of a registration does not limit the ability of TSAC or the guarantee agency to issue a new order which seeks to suspend, deny or revoke the registration of the same debtor in the event of another delinquency or default. (G) TSAC is authorized to promulgate necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this subsection (c). All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. (d) The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this section. All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 744, s 2, eff. 1/1/2019. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 744, s 1, eff. 1/1/2019. Acts 2012 , ch. 519, § 4.
(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Commission" means the Tennessee ethics commission or other governmental body authorized by statute to register lobbyists; (2) "Guarantee agency" means a guarantor of student loans that has an agreement with the United States secretary of education; and (3) "TSAC" means the Tennessee student assistance corporation.
(1) "Commission" means the Tennessee ethics commission or other governmental body authorized by statute to register lobbyists;
(2) "Guarantee agency" means a guarantor of student loans that has an agreement with the United States secretary of education; and
(3) "TSAC" means the Tennessee student assistance corporation.
(b) (1) Upon receiving a copy of a final order as provided in subsection (c) from TSAC or a guarantee agency, the commission shall suspend, deny or revoke the registration of any individual lobbyist who has defaulted on a repayment or service obligation under any federal family education loan program, the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.), a student loan guaranteed or administered by TSAC, or any other state or federal educational loan or service-conditional scholarship program. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), the commission may elect not to suspend, deny, or revoke the registration of a lobbyist if the commission determines that the default or delinquency is the result of a medical hardship that prevented the person from working in the person's licensed field and the medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency.
(1) Upon receiving a copy of a final order as provided in subsection (c) from TSAC or a guarantee agency, the commission shall suspend, deny or revoke the registration of any individual lobbyist who has defaulted on a repayment or service obligation under any federal family education loan program, the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.), a student loan guaranteed or administered by TSAC, or any other state or federal educational loan or service-conditional scholarship program.
(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), the commission may elect not to suspend, deny, or revoke the registration of a lobbyist if the commission determines that the default or delinquency is the result of a medical hardship that prevented the person from working in the person's licensed field and the medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency.
(c) (1) The commission shall accept any determination of default from TSAC or a guarantee agency, after TSAC or the guarantee agency has afforded a debtor an opportunity to be heard in accordance with subdivision (c)(2); and the commission shall rescind any disciplinary action and restore any registration upon receiving notice from TSAC or the guarantee agency that the individual has agreed to serve the individual's obligation or is in compliance with an approved repayment plan. (2) (A) Unless a debtor has made satisfactory arrangements according to the lender, TSAC or the guarantee agency, which may include administrative wage garnishment, voluntary payment arrangements, deferment or forbearance, then the debtor shall be regarded as delinquent or in default. If a debtor is delinquent or in default on a repayment or service obligation under a guaranteed student loan identified in subsection (b), or the debtor has failed to enter into a payment plan, agree to a service obligation or comply with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, then TSAC or the guarantee agency shall issue to the debtor a notice of intent to file an order with the appropriate licensing authority to seek to suspend, deny or revoke the debtor's registration. The notice shall: (i) Be served upon the debtor personally or by certified mail with return receipt requested; and (ii) State that the debtor's registration shall be suspended, denied or revoked ninety (90) days after service unless within that time the debtor: (a) Pays the entire debt stated in the notice; (b) Enters into a payment plan, service obligation or complies with a payment plan previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Requests and qualifies for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (d) Requests a hearing before TSAC or the guarantee agency. (B) The hearing request by the debtor shall be made in writing and must be received by TSAC or the guarantee agency within twenty (20) days of the date the notice is served. (C) TSAC or the guarantee agency, upon receipt of a request for a hearing from the debtor, shall schedule a hearing to determine whether a determination of delinquency or default which could result in suspension, denial or revocation of the debtor's registration is appropriate. The debtor's registration may not be suspended, denied or revoked until a determination is reached following the hearing. The issues that may be determined in the hearing are: (i) The amount of the debt, if any; (ii) Whether the debtor is delinquent or in default; and (iii) Whether the debtor: (a) Has entered into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (b) Is willing to enter into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Is willing to comply with a payment plan or service obligation previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (iv) Whether the debtor is eligible for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (v) Whether the debtor's default or delinquency is the result of a medical hardship that prevented the debtor from working in the person's licensed field and the medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency. (D) If a debtor, without good cause, fails to respond to the notice of intent, fails to timely request a hearing, or fails to appear at a regularly scheduled hearing, the debtor's defenses, objections, or request for a payment plan or compliance with a payment plan may be determined to be without merit; and TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter a final decision and order, requesting suspension, denial or revocation of the debtor's registration, and further requesting the commission to order the debtor to refrain from engaging in lobbying. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor. (E) The administrative hearings shall be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations adopted under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. (F) (i) When TSAC or the guarantee agency determines that the debt is paid in full or the debtor has entered into a payment plan, entered into a service obligation, is otherwise in satisfactory compliance or complied with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter an order requesting that the commission terminate the order suspending, denying or revoking the registration. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, when the registration is reinstated, the commission shall not impose a reinstatement fee that exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00). (ii) Entry of an order seeking to terminate suspension, denial or revocation of a registration does not limit the ability of TSAC or the guarantee agency to issue a new order which seeks to suspend, deny or revoke the registration of the same debtor in the event of another delinquency or default. (G) TSAC is authorized to promulgate necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this subsection (c). All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.
(1) The commission shall accept any determination of default from TSAC or a guarantee agency, after TSAC or the guarantee agency has afforded a debtor an opportunity to be heard in accordance with subdivision (c)(2); and the commission shall rescind any disciplinary action and restore any registration upon receiving notice from TSAC or the guarantee agency that the individual has agreed to serve the individual's obligation or is in compliance with an approved repayment plan.
(2) (A) Unless a debtor has made satisfactory arrangements according to the lender, TSAC or the guarantee agency, which may include administrative wage garnishment, voluntary payment arrangements, deferment or forbearance, then the debtor shall be regarded as delinquent or in default. If a debtor is delinquent or in default on a repayment or service obligation under a guaranteed student loan identified in subsection (b), or the debtor has failed to enter into a payment plan, agree to a service obligation or comply with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, then TSAC or the guarantee agency shall issue to the debtor a notice of intent to file an order with the appropriate licensing authority to seek to suspend, deny or revoke the debtor's registration. The notice shall: (i) Be served upon the debtor personally or by certified mail with return receipt requested; and (ii) State that the debtor's registration shall be suspended, denied or revoked ninety (90) days after service unless within that time the debtor: (a) Pays the entire debt stated in the notice; (b) Enters into a payment plan, service obligation or complies with a payment plan previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Requests and qualifies for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (d) Requests a hearing before TSAC or the guarantee agency. (B) The hearing request by the debtor shall be made in writing and must be received by TSAC or the guarantee agency within twenty (20) days of the date the notice is served. (C) TSAC or the guarantee agency, upon receipt of a request for a hearing from the debtor, shall schedule a hearing to determine whether a determination of delinquency or default which could result in suspension, denial or revocation of the debtor's registration is appropriate. The debtor's registration may not be suspended, denied or revoked until a determination is reached following the hearing. The issues that may be determined in the hearing are: (i) The amount of the debt, if any; (ii) Whether the debtor is delinquent or in default; and (iii) Whether the debtor: (a) Has entered into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (b) Is willing to enter into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Is willing to comply with a payment plan or service obligation previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (iv) Whether the debtor is eligible for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (v) Whether the debtor's default or delinquency is the result of a medical hardship that prevented the debtor from working in the person's licensed field and the medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency. (D) If a debtor, without good cause, fails to respond to the notice of intent, fails to timely request a hearing, or fails to appear at a regularly scheduled hearing, the debtor's defenses, objections, or request for a payment plan or compliance with a payment plan may be determined to be without merit; and TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter a final decision and order, requesting suspension, denial or revocation of the debtor's registration, and further requesting the commission to order the debtor to refrain from engaging in lobbying. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor. (E) The administrative hearings shall be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations adopted under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. (F) (i) When TSAC or the guarantee agency determines that the debt is paid in full or the debtor has entered into a payment plan, entered into a service obligation, is otherwise in satisfactory compliance or complied with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter an order requesting that the commission terminate the order suspending, denying or revoking the registration. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, when the registration is reinstated, the commission shall not impose a reinstatement fee that exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00). (ii) Entry of an order seeking to terminate suspension, denial or revocation of a registration does not limit the ability of TSAC or the guarantee agency to issue a new order which seeks to suspend, deny or revoke the registration of the same debtor in the event of another delinquency or default. (G) TSAC is authorized to promulgate necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this subsection (c). All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.
(A) Unless a debtor has made satisfactory arrangements according to the lender, TSAC or the guarantee agency, which may include administrative wage garnishment, voluntary payment arrangements, deferment or forbearance, then the debtor shall be regarded as delinquent or in default. If a debtor is delinquent or in default on a repayment or service obligation under a guaranteed student loan identified in subsection (b), or the debtor has failed to enter into a payment plan, agree to a service obligation or comply with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, then TSAC or the guarantee agency shall issue to the debtor a notice of intent to file an order with the appropriate licensing authority to seek to suspend, deny or revoke the debtor's registration. The notice shall: (i) Be served upon the debtor personally or by certified mail with return receipt requested; and (ii) State that the debtor's registration shall be suspended, denied or revoked ninety (90) days after service unless within that time the debtor: (a) Pays the entire debt stated in the notice; (b) Enters into a payment plan, service obligation or complies with a payment plan previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Requests and qualifies for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (d) Requests a hearing before TSAC or the guarantee agency.
(i) Be served upon the debtor personally or by certified mail with return receipt requested; and
(ii) State that the debtor's registration shall be suspended, denied or revoked ninety (90) days after service unless within that time the debtor: (a) Pays the entire debt stated in the notice; (b) Enters into a payment plan, service obligation or complies with a payment plan previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Requests and qualifies for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (d) Requests a hearing before TSAC or the guarantee agency.
(a) Pays the entire debt stated in the notice;
(b) Enters into a payment plan, service obligation or complies with a payment plan previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency;
(c) Requests and qualifies for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or
(d) Requests a hearing before TSAC or the guarantee agency.
(B) The hearing request by the debtor shall be made in writing and must be received by TSAC or the guarantee agency within twenty (20) days of the date the notice is served.
(C) TSAC or the guarantee agency, upon receipt of a request for a hearing from the debtor, shall schedule a hearing to determine whether a determination of delinquency or default which could result in suspension, denial or revocation of the debtor's registration is appropriate. The debtor's registration may not be suspended, denied or revoked until a determination is reached following the hearing. The issues that may be determined in the hearing are: (i) The amount of the debt, if any; (ii) Whether the debtor is delinquent or in default; and (iii) Whether the debtor: (a) Has entered into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (b) Is willing to enter into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Is willing to comply with a payment plan or service obligation previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (iv) Whether the debtor is eligible for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or (v) Whether the debtor's default or delinquency is the result of a medical hardship that prevented the debtor from working in the person's licensed field and the medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency.
(i) The amount of the debt, if any;
(ii) Whether the debtor is delinquent or in default; and
(iii) Whether the debtor: (a) Has entered into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (b) Is willing to enter into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency; (c) Is willing to comply with a payment plan or service obligation previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency;
(a) Has entered into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency;
(b) Is willing to enter into a payment plan or service obligation approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency;
(c) Is willing to comply with a payment plan or service obligation previously entered into and approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency;
(iv) Whether the debtor is eligible for deferment, forbearance or other satisfactory compliance; or
(v) Whether the debtor's default or delinquency is the result of a medical hardship that prevented the debtor from working in the person's licensed field and the medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency.
(D) If a debtor, without good cause, fails to respond to the notice of intent, fails to timely request a hearing, or fails to appear at a regularly scheduled hearing, the debtor's defenses, objections, or request for a payment plan or compliance with a payment plan may be determined to be without merit; and TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter a final decision and order, requesting suspension, denial or revocation of the debtor's registration, and further requesting the commission to order the debtor to refrain from engaging in lobbying. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor.
(E) The administrative hearings shall be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations adopted under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
(F) (i) When TSAC or the guarantee agency determines that the debt is paid in full or the debtor has entered into a payment plan, entered into a service obligation, is otherwise in satisfactory compliance or complied with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter an order requesting that the commission terminate the order suspending, denying or revoking the registration. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, when the registration is reinstated, the commission shall not impose a reinstatement fee that exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00). (ii) Entry of an order seeking to terminate suspension, denial or revocation of a registration does not limit the ability of TSAC or the guarantee agency to issue a new order which seeks to suspend, deny or revoke the registration of the same debtor in the event of another delinquency or default.
(i) When TSAC or the guarantee agency determines that the debt is paid in full or the debtor has entered into a payment plan, entered into a service obligation, is otherwise in satisfactory compliance or complied with a payment plan previously approved by TSAC or the guarantee agency, TSAC or the guarantee agency shall enter an order requesting that the commission terminate the order suspending, denying or revoking the registration. TSAC or the guarantee agency shall send a copy of the order to the commission and the debtor. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, when the registration is reinstated, the commission shall not impose a reinstatement fee that exceeds fifty dollars ($50.00).
(ii) Entry of an order seeking to terminate suspension, denial or revocation of a registration does not limit the ability of TSAC or the guarantee agency to issue a new order which seeks to suspend, deny or revoke the registration of the same debtor in the event of another delinquency or default.
(G) TSAC is authorized to promulgate necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this subsection (c). All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.
(d) The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this section. All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 744, s 2, eff. 1/1/2019.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 744, s 1, eff. 1/1/2019.
Acts 2012 , ch. 519, § 4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-14-202 — TN Code / Title 3 / Chapter 14 / Section 3-14-202
Staffing and assistance
Status: in_force

(a) To aid the office of legislative budget analysis, the staff of the comptroller of the treasury and the fiscal review committee shall furnish such assistance as may be required. The office may also call on the staff of the other legislative staff offices for advice and assistance as required. (b) In carrying out the responsibilities of the office, the office shall call upon the executive, legislative, and judicial departments and agencies of state government for such information as the office requires, and it is the duty of such agencies and departments to furnish promptly the desired information. (c) The commissioner of revenue shall provide the director with the monthly revenue collections report published by the department of revenue. The commissioner of finance and administration shall provide the office of legislative budget analysis with access to the state accounting system for the purpose of monitoring allotments, expenditures, and revenue collections of state agencies. (d) The commissioner of personnel shall provide the office of legislative budget analysis a monthly listing of personnel positions that have been overlapped for ninety (90) days or more. The commissioner of finance and administration shall provide to the office of legislative budget analysis summaries which revise the funding recommendations and personnel summaries contained in the budget document to conform with the general appropriations act, other general acts of the general assembly, and any other actions which affect the level of departmental or other such revenue. (e) The commissioner of education shall provide to the office of legislative budget analysis the revised Tennessee investment in student achievement formula (TISA) for the ensuing fiscal year no later than January 1 of each year. (f) The governing boards of the University of Tennessee system and the state university and community college system shall provide to the office of legislative budget analysis both the original proposed operating budget submitted to the Tennessee higher education commission and the revised operating budget no later than March 1 of each year. (g) The Tennessee higher education commission shall provide to the office of legislative budget analysis the revised higher education funding formula for the ensuing fiscal year no later than December 1 of each year. (h) (1) The commissioner of finance and administration shall give the office of legislative budget analysis as much advance notice as possible of any meeting, hearing or conference to inform staff of the general assembly of the substance of the executive budget prior to submission of such budget to the general assembly, and shall give the office an opportunity to be represented at such meeting, hearing or conference. (2) The commissioner of finance and administration shall furnish to the office of legislative budget analysis contemporaneous copies of all information provided to the fiscal review committee in accordance with § 3-7-104 . In addition, the commissioner shall furnish to the office of legislative budget analysis changes to the work program including, but not limited to, expansions and revisions. Such revisions and expansions may be provided in written or electronic format. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 77, eff. 7/1/2023. Acts 1999, ch. 497, § 3.
(a) To aid the office of legislative budget analysis, the staff of the comptroller of the treasury and the fiscal review committee shall furnish such assistance as may be required. The office may also call on the staff of the other legislative staff offices for advice and assistance as required.
(b) In carrying out the responsibilities of the office, the office shall call upon the executive, legislative, and judicial departments and agencies of state government for such information as the office requires, and it is the duty of such agencies and departments to furnish promptly the desired information.
(c) The commissioner of revenue shall provide the director with the monthly revenue collections report published by the department of revenue. The commissioner of finance and administration shall provide the office of legislative budget analysis with access to the state accounting system for the purpose of monitoring allotments, expenditures, and revenue collections of state agencies.
(d) The commissioner of personnel shall provide the office of legislative budget analysis a monthly listing of personnel positions that have been overlapped for ninety (90) days or more. The commissioner of finance and administration shall provide to the office of legislative budget analysis summaries which revise the funding recommendations and personnel summaries contained in the budget document to conform with the general appropriations act, other general acts of the general assembly, and any other actions which affect the level of departmental or other such revenue.
(e) The commissioner of education shall provide to the office of legislative budget analysis the revised Tennessee investment in student achievement formula (TISA) for the ensuing fiscal year no later than January 1 of each year.
(f) The governing boards of the University of Tennessee system and the state university and community college system shall provide to the office of legislative budget analysis both the original proposed operating budget submitted to the Tennessee higher education commission and the revised operating budget no later than March 1 of each year.
(g) The Tennessee higher education commission shall provide to the office of legislative budget analysis the revised higher education funding formula for the ensuing fiscal year no later than December 1 of each year.
(h) (1) The commissioner of finance and administration shall give the office of legislative budget analysis as much advance notice as possible of any meeting, hearing or conference to inform staff of the general assembly of the substance of the executive budget prior to submission of such budget to the general assembly, and shall give the office an opportunity to be represented at such meeting, hearing or conference. (2) The commissioner of finance and administration shall furnish to the office of legislative budget analysis contemporaneous copies of all information provided to the fiscal review committee in accordance with § 3-7-104 . In addition, the commissioner shall furnish to the office of legislative budget analysis changes to the work program including, but not limited to, expansions and revisions. Such revisions and expansions may be provided in written or electronic format.
(1) The commissioner of finance and administration shall give the office of legislative budget analysis as much advance notice as possible of any meeting, hearing or conference to inform staff of the general assembly of the substance of the executive budget prior to submission of such budget to the general assembly, and shall give the office an opportunity to be represented at such meeting, hearing or conference.
(2) The commissioner of finance and administration shall furnish to the office of legislative budget analysis contemporaneous copies of all information provided to the fiscal review committee in accordance with § 3-7-104 . In addition, the commissioner shall furnish to the office of legislative budget analysis changes to the work program including, but not limited to, expansions and revisions. Such revisions and expansions may be provided in written or electronic format.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 77, eff. 7/1/2023.
Acts 1999, ch. 497, § 3.