HB 2114

Throughout Tennessee Code Annotated, there are several instances in which a public notice or legal notice is required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation. Beginning July 1, 2027, this bill authorizes a local government to satisfy such requirement to publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation if the local government publishes the required notice electronically online, either by the local government or a third party. Electronic public notice systems must provide easy, equita bl e, and barrier-free access for all users across commonly used platforms and be accessible to the public free of charge. In order to utilize electronic publication for a required notice, this bill requires a local government to (i) pass an ordinance or resolution detailing the date electronic publication of notices will begin, how the public can access the notices, and wha t types of notices will be published electronically and (ii) adopt a policy governing the posting of notices electronically. The policy must meet all of the following requirements:  Ensure the security, reliability, integrity, and maintenance of the system and published notices and records to verify compliance with public notice requirements.  Specify clear, legally compliant timeframes that govern the posting, archiving, and retention of public notices and related records.  Standardize a legally compliant format and appearance for electronically published notices, including supplemental information that may be posted with such notices. This bill authorizes operators of third-party websites permitting local governments to post electronic notices on the third party's website to charge a reasonable fee for such service. ON APRIL 13, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2450, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to require TACIR to: (1) Study whether newspapers of general circulation remain the most efficient and effective manner for governments to provide the public with transparent and accessible information. This study must also examine how the efficiency of public notice metho ds has changed historically; (2) Study how the public has historically obtained its news and information compared to today; (3) Examine the ability of government entities to create public notice systems; (4) Review all governmental and public entities' notice requirements and practices to determine how much taxpayer money is used to meet newspaper publication requirements; (5) Consider how the availability of broadband access across the states may affect the publication of online public notices; (6) Review public notice practices in other states and any available trends or advances in technology; (7) Consult with interested parties regarding the subject of publication of notices; and (8) Upon completion of the study required by this amendment, report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the chair of the state and local government committee of the senate, the chair of the committee of the house of r epresentatives having jurisdiction over subject matters pertaining to state and local government, and the legislative librarian. ON APRIL 21, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 2450 FOR HOUSE BILL 2114, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2450, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #2 incorporates the substantive provisions of Senate Amendment #1 and makes various grammatical clarifications to differentiate between TACIR's duties and subjects to be included in the study. ON APRIL 22, 2026, THE SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT # 2 .