In Touch with Tennessee
Understanding the Public Records Act in Tennessee
MTAS Legal Consultant Elisha Hodge interviews Tennessee Open Records Counsel Maria Bush about the Open Records law. They discuss the law, how it works and how citizens can understand it.
MTAS Legal Consultant Elisha Hodge interviews Tennessee Open Records Counsel Maria Bush about the Open Records law. They discuss the law, how it works and how citizens can understand it.
Audio file
Open Records Edited_mixdown.mp3
Transcript
00:00:02 Speaker 1
My name is Elisha Hodge, and I'm a legal consultant for UT MTAS, and today we're going to be discussing public records and open meetings.
00:00:12 Speaker 1
As you all know, compliance with the Tennessee Public Records Act and the Tennessee Open Meetings Act presents challenges and navigating those challenges.
00:00:20 Speaker 1
Is not always easy.
00:00:22 Speaker 1
However, we are fortunate in Tennessee to have a resource, the office of Open Records Counsel that is statutorily charged with answering public records and open meetings questions for citizens as well as local government officials.
00:00:34 Speaker 1
This morning I have the privilege of sitting down with Maria Bush, open records counsel for the state of Tennessee.
00:00:41 Speaker 1
Welcome, Maria, and thank you for sitting down with me this morning to chat.
00:00:44 Speaker 1
I'm excited that we have this opportunity.
00:00:46 Speaker 2
Good morning. Thank you.
00:00:47 Speaker 2
Elisha for having me here, I'm.
00:00:49 Speaker 2
Excited to talk with you?
00:00:51 Speaker 2
About the Open Meetings act.
00:00:52 Speaker 2
And open records in Tennessee.
00:00:54
Right.
00:00:55 Speaker 1
So, I'm just going to go ahead and jump into the.
00:00:56 Speaker 1
Questions first of all please.
00:00:58 Speaker 1
Tell us a little bit about your legal.
00:01:00 Speaker 1
Background yeah, so.
00:01:01 Speaker 2
I graduated from Belmont College of Law here in Nashville.
00:01:07 Speaker 2
Clerked for the third, and.
00:01:10 Speaker 2
4th circuit courts in Davidson County with Judge Robinson, Judge Smith.
00:01:14 Speaker 2
Those were the family courts.
00:01:16 Speaker 2
And then after that, I worked at Taylor, Peek, Marchetti, and Blair.
00:01:20 Speaker 2
It's a civil litigation firm in Nashville.
00:01:23 Speaker 2
I worked mostly on estate matters at that.
00:01:26 Speaker 2
firm and most recently, before I was with the Comptroller's office in Open Records, I was at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, and I served as board attorney for regulatory boards.
00:01:41 Speaker 2
So that was.
00:01:42 Speaker 2
A motor vehicle Commission.
00:01:44 Speaker 2
The Board of Architectural Engineer Examiners.
00:01:47 Speaker 2
For the accountancy, soil scientists, land surveyors, I could go on but I did disciplinary matters, so that's the administrative law process as well as.
00:02:00 Speaker 2
serving as counsel for the executive directors and the boards themselves, which did include, you know, open records, redactions.
00:02:10 Speaker 1
Mainly on your background at commerce and insurance, do you think that that role prepared you for your role is open record?
00:02:14 Speaker 2
And make sure that.
00:02:16 Speaker 2
Counsel, certainly.
00:02:17 Speaker 2
So there I was able to see.
00:02:21 Speaker 2
What the process for receiving open records is like, you know, when you are working on I guess the front lines of that, interacting with citizens, seeing what they like.
00:02:33 Speaker 2
To receive and they're.
00:02:35 Speaker 2
Requesting public records and then also I.
00:02:37 Speaker 2
Worked with businesses because it is.
00:02:40 Speaker 2
You know, we worked at Commerce and insurance, so there was lots.
00:02:42 Speaker 2
Of business requests.
00:02:44 Speaker 2
Uhm, requesting this information and I?
00:02:48 Speaker 2
Got to work a lot with the board.
00:02:50 Speaker 2
Staff and actions and determining what is releasable, what's not, and then trying to work within.
00:02:58 Speaker 2
You know that seven day period of response time.
00:03:01 Speaker 2
So I think.
00:03:01 Speaker 2
He gave me a good.
00:03:03 Speaker 2
Some perspective on the challenges that you know a lot of.
00:03:07 Speaker 2
These governmental entities face and then also.
00:03:11 Speaker 2
What citizens are looking for, absolutely.
00:03:14 Speaker 1
Tell us again when?
00:03:15 Speaker 1
Do you start its Open records Counsel?
00:03:16 Speaker 2
I started in April of this year.
00:03:18 Speaker 1
OK, so now that.
00:03:19 Speaker 1
You have a few months under your.
00:03:20 Speaker 1
Bills? Tell me what?
00:03:22 Speaker 1
An average day is like in the office.
00:03:25 Speaker 2
Certainly we receive a ton of phone calls and inquiries from citizens, local government entities.
00:03:32 Speaker 2
That's county cities.
00:03:33 Speaker 2
And then also you.
00:03:35 Speaker 2
Know state departments.
00:03:37 Speaker 2
You also receive inclusion of legislator.
00:03:40 Speaker 2
Uh media.
00:03:42 Speaker 2
So that can come in the form.
00:03:44 Speaker 2
Of phone calls, emails.
00:03:46 Speaker 2
And also we have an online.
00:03:49 Speaker 2
Database where inquiries can be submitted.
00:03:52 Speaker 2
So those come through as.
00:03:53 Speaker 2
Well, and then we do a lot of presentations and trainings through our office, so if it's a day.
00:04:00 Speaker 2
Where I'm scheduled to do that, we'll be out.
00:04:02 Speaker 2
You know getting information to different.
00:04:04 Speaker 2
Entities about the Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act.
00:04:08 Speaker 2
And then also we do informal mediations, so I'd say.
00:04:14 Speaker 2
Most of my work is.
00:04:17 Speaker 2
Focused on, you know, trying to.
00:04:19 Speaker 2
Work out.
00:04:23 Speaker 2
Issues between citizens and governmental entities about exceptions.
00:04:27 Speaker 2
To the public.
00:04:28 Speaker 2
Records act and determining how to move forward.
00:04:32 Speaker 2
In those situations.
00:04:34 Speaker 1
Something that I just want you to talk a little bit about.
00:04:36 Speaker 1
You talked about the exceptions to the Public Records Act, so.
00:04:40 Speaker 1
Tell the listeners.
00:04:41 Speaker 1
A little bit about the database that you all have that.
00:04:44 Speaker 1
Has all the.
00:04:44 Speaker 2
Exceptions. So there are over 600 right now. It changes so frequently with every new session but over 600.
00:04:54 Speaker 2
Exceptions to the.
00:04:55 Speaker 2
Tennessee public records.
00:04:56 Speaker 2
Act and so.
00:04:57 Speaker 2
On our offices website we maintain a database that is searchable.
00:05:03 Speaker 2
And it lists every statutory exception to.
00:05:06 Speaker 2
The Public Records Act so if.
00:05:08 Speaker 2
You type it in for.
00:05:09 Speaker 2
Instance juvenile and you can then see all the exceptions.
00:05:14 Speaker 2
That would apply to juveniles for.
00:05:17 Speaker 2
The Public Records act.
00:05:18 Speaker 1
Well, and I just want to.
00:05:19 Speaker 1
Say that, I think that's a great resource.
00:05:22 Speaker 1
That citizens and officials have.
00:05:24 Speaker 2
Yes, and I utilize it every day, so it's very user friendly.
00:05:29 Speaker 2
I encourage anyone who you know.
00:05:31 Speaker 2
Just wants so.
00:05:33 Speaker 2
Learn more they have specific.
00:05:34 Speaker 2
That is a great resource.
00:05:35 Speaker 2
To use.
00:05:36 Speaker 1
Talk about the emails, the phone calls that you all get.
00:05:40 Speaker 1
Is there anything that stands?
00:05:41 Speaker 1
Out to you about the questions.
00:05:43 Speaker 1
That you received from local government officials?
00:05:46 Speaker 2
So what I see mostly is.
00:05:50 Speaker 2
Just a real willingness to comply.
00:05:53 Speaker 2
For the Public Records act so.
00:05:56 Speaker 2
You know, these individuals who reach out to us, they have a hard task of balancing meeting.
00:06:02 Speaker 2
The requests because there is a obligation to provide these records, but also.
00:06:07 Speaker 2
The balance of is this confidential?
00:06:09 Speaker 2
So they don't want to release information that might not be, you know, releasable.
00:06:14 Speaker 2
And so it's.
00:06:15 Speaker 2
Just a delicate.
00:06:16 Speaker 2
Balance and what I see is just a.
00:06:20 Speaker 2
Real dedication to wanting to do the job correctly and just making sure that they're proceeding with the law.
00:06:28 Speaker 2
And then also, you know, I hear this all the.
00:06:31 Speaker 2
Time that you.
00:06:31 Speaker 2
Know we really?
00:06:32 Speaker 2
We're not trying.
00:06:33 Speaker 2
To withhold these records.
00:06:34 Speaker 2
You know, they really want to.
00:06:35 Speaker 2
Comply and provide citizens what they're asking for, and do so in the correct manner.
00:06:40 Speaker 1
Is there anything that stands out?
00:06:42 Speaker 1
To you about what citizens are calling you about.
00:06:46 Speaker 2
So mostly what stands out to me is just the level of engagement and desire to be involved in their communities.
00:06:52 Speaker 2
They want to know what's going on with their governments and they have the right.
00:06:55 Speaker 2
To know and so.
00:06:57 Speaker 2
Just see real.
00:06:59 Speaker 2
Active participation and you know, in their communities.
00:07:05 Speaker 1
Ask you about things now.
00:07:06 Speaker 1
So with regard to public records, yes.
00:07:09 Speaker 1
Is there an issue or a thing that you are asked about most frequently from citizens?
00:07:15
Mostly we.
00:07:16 Speaker 2
Have citizens reach out so under the Tennessee?
00:07:19 Speaker 2
Public Records Act there is a.
00:07:22 Speaker 2
Requirement that governmental entity must respond to a public records request within 7 business days mostly.
00:07:29 Speaker 2
What I see?
00:07:30 Speaker 2
Are procedural misinterpretations of what that 7 business days looks like and how it's calculated and what's required of the governmental entity within those seven.
00:07:40 Speaker 2
Business days so.
00:07:42 Speaker 2
Uhm, sometimes no.
00:07:44 Speaker 2
Citizen will reach.
00:07:45 Speaker 2
Out and spend 3 days and I haven't heard from the governmental entity and they want someone to intervene.
00:07:50 Speaker 2
So we have to explain what the Statute states.
00:07:53 Speaker 2
I I think that might be one of the most frequent things that we see.
00:07:59 Speaker 2
And then also just like I said, there are procedural.
00:08:02 Speaker 2
Requirements so submitting.
00:08:05 Speaker 2
Your ID those types.
00:08:07 Speaker 2
Of things, did you submit your public records request to the right person?
00:08:13 Speaker 2
I think that is probably.
00:08:14 Speaker 2
What we see measuring citizens questions about those issues.
00:08:17 Speaker 1
And what about?
00:08:17 Speaker 1
Things with regard to records from local government officials.
00:08:22 Speaker 2
So you get.
00:08:23
A lot of.
00:08:24 Speaker 2
Questions about the schedule of reasonable charges.
00:08:27 Speaker 2
So that is a policy that the office of Open Records has released and so how to calculate labor charges.
00:08:39 Speaker 2
Can you charge for inspection versus copies clearing up any questions or sometimes it it really can be confusing so that's what we help most with the you know local government entities and and then how to deal with voluminous request you know how to.
00:08:57 Speaker 2
Proceed forward when sometimes a small town might get a request for every document ever and how to move forward and comply with the statute and give the request or.
00:09:08 Speaker 2
What they need and.
00:09:10 Speaker 2
And then also as I mentioned, there are nearly 600 exceptions to this in C Public Records Act and so.
00:09:15 Speaker 2
Mainly we get.
00:09:18 Speaker 2
Requests from governmental entities needing clarification on if an exception applies or.
00:09:22 Speaker 2
Not right, yeah.
00:09:24 Speaker 1
So do the majority.
00:09:25 Speaker 1
Of your questions, are they focused around records or?
00:09:27 Speaker 1
Are they focused around meetings?
00:09:29 Speaker 1
I would.
00:09:30 Speaker 2
Mostly about records.
00:09:31 Speaker 2
OK, I'm probably like.
00:09:32 Speaker 2
80% that's a rough guesstimate, but.
00:09:36 Speaker 2
Mostly about records and then 'cause all the exceptions.
00:09:39
And then the.
00:09:39 Speaker 3
Maybe 20%.
00:09:40 Speaker 2
Other five.
00:09:42 Speaker 2
Open meetings?
00:09:42 Speaker 2
Act issues.
00:09:43 Speaker 2
OK, so.
00:09:44 Speaker 1
With regard to the Open Meetings Act, tell us a little bit about what things you might see with regard to questions around meetings.
00:09:52 Speaker 2
Yes, citizens, some something recently we've been asked about is.
00:09:58 Speaker 2
Notice requirements and meeting times being posted.
00:10:02 Speaker 2
For instance.
00:10:04 Speaker 2
You know if you post that?
00:10:06 Speaker 2
If the governmental entity posts that their meeting is going to start at 5:00 PM on Tuesday and then everybody gets there at 4:30 and they want to get.
00:10:14 Speaker 2
Started early to, you know, use time efficiently.
00:10:20 Speaker 2
Citizens show up thinking that it's 5:00 PM.
00:10:23 Speaker 2
That is a that's atomo violation.
00:10:25 Speaker 2
You can't start earlier than your notice States and so.
00:10:30 Speaker 2
That's something we've seen regarding the meetings.
00:10:33 Speaker 2
UM and then from.
00:10:36 Speaker 2
The governing body.
00:10:40 Speaker 2
Recently I've had some questions about in local.
00:10:44 Speaker 2
Bodies meet electronically or say, yeah, you know, one member is out on vacation and wants to call in from the beach and they participate electronically.
00:10:54 Speaker 2
And so I think there's some confusion post COVID because there are so many executive orders allowing the, you know, electronic participation.
00:10:59
Right.
00:11:03 Speaker 2
However, once those.
00:11:05 Speaker 2
Expired, there really is no.
00:11:08 Speaker 2
Statutory right or exception for governing bodies that are local to have electronic participation.
00:11:15 Speaker 2
And then this latest session we saw on new legislation around state governing bodies and electronic participation, but so there's just, there's some confusion about, you know, does that apply?
00:11:27 Speaker 2
To local bodies and it does not and so.
00:11:30 Speaker 2
I've been answering questions about that.
00:11:34 Speaker 1
Another resource that I want to just.
00:11:37 Speaker 1
Ask you to make people aware of is you know you.
00:11:39 Speaker 1
You just laid out for us a lot of the questions that you all.
00:11:42 Speaker 1
Received, but tell everybody.
00:11:44 Speaker 1
A little bit about the FA cues and what's available on the website because the website is really, really good resource.
00:11:49 Speaker 2
We do have a great website, tons of resources.
00:11:53 Speaker 2
A lot of the questions that I answered.
00:11:55 Speaker 2
You know, day in, day out can be.
00:11:57 Speaker 2
Answered from our FAQ portion of our websites.
00:12:00 Speaker 2
We have that we have.
00:12:02 Speaker 2
A section of policies.
00:12:04 Speaker 2
And then we also have an advisory opinions at our office issues and so those are you know some hot topics that we've had to cover and you know issue guidance on.
00:12:15 Speaker 2
So that can be great resource for certain questions in addition to the database that we talked about and just being able to search and then.
00:12:24 Speaker 2
Also we put.
00:12:25 Speaker 2
Out a legislative.
00:12:26 Speaker 2
Update every year about you know what.
00:12:32 Speaker 2
Have come through session and then apply to the Open Meetings Act or the Public Records Act and so that's all covered on our website as well.
00:12:40 Speaker 3
Thank you.
00:12:41 Speaker 1
The other things that I know that you all do is you issue a report every year that captures the number and the nature of calls and emails and in person requests that you received.
00:12:51 Speaker 1
So can you speak a little bit to the volume of business that the office did last year and are you on track to meet that same or exceed that same?
00:13:00 Speaker 1
Number this year.
00:13:01 Speaker 2
I've looked at our numbers from so our our report is issued around March. So I looked at our numbers from March to September in 2021 and we were in the mid 5 hundreds and now from March this year until.
00:13:14 Speaker 2
No, today we are in the mid 5 hundreds.
00:13:17 Speaker 2
As well.
00:13:17 Speaker 2
So I think we're on track to be about the same as last year.
00:13:21 Speaker 2
Depending on you know, something could happen later on we can have an influx of inquiry about a specific issue, but we're pretty much on track to be at the same.
00:13:30 Speaker 2
Levels last year.
00:13:31 Speaker 2
Like I said, high.
00:13:32 Speaker 1
Volume and you sound like you are busy all the time, so tell.
00:13:38 Speaker 1
Us? What do you?
00:13:38 Speaker 1
Think is driving the the high volume of contacts.
00:13:41 Speaker 1
That you always see.
00:13:42 Speaker 2
As I mentioned earlier, complexities of the exceptions you know as the number of exceptions grow or change, you know we do have questions about.
00:13:51 Speaker 2
What applies and what does not?
00:13:54 Speaker 2
In certain situations, also for someone who has never made a public records request before the process.
00:14:01 Speaker 2
Can be confusing.
00:14:02 Speaker 2
And so something I see often is people reach out stating that under FOIA, the federal Public Records Act, that this is required, and then we have.
00:14:13 Speaker 2
To explain that.
00:14:14 Speaker 2
You know, the Tennessee.
00:14:14 Speaker 2
Public Records Act is different.
00:14:16 Speaker 2
And so I think FOIA, you know, the number of days.
00:14:20 Speaker 2
Are different and.
00:14:20 Speaker 2
There's five exceptions to.
00:14:21 Speaker 2
FOIA so not explaining, just the processes are different and what?
00:14:25 Speaker 2
Is required under our statute.
00:14:29 Speaker 2
And then, like I mentioned earlier, citizens are very engaged in their local governments and state governments.
00:14:35 Speaker 2
They want to know what's going.
00:14:36 Speaker 2
On and.
00:14:37 Speaker 2
So we're seeing an increase in requests for those reasons.
00:14:41 Speaker 2
Also, you know our office, we do offer training and so we're around.
00:14:46 Speaker 2
We hope to encourage citizens and local governments to reach out and that they can utilize us as a.
00:14:52 Speaker 2
Resource, so maybe you know.
00:14:54 Speaker 2
The increase is due to.
00:14:55 Speaker 3
Yes, sure.
00:14:56 Speaker 2
Awareness of our office and what we do and.
00:14:58 Speaker 2
So I think that's a great thing, absolutely.
00:15:02 Speaker 1
We get a lot of.
00:15:03 Speaker 1
Calls about public records and open meetings here at MTAS and one of the things that we always do is even after we talk through whatever the question is, we always say, but we advise you to contact the Office of Open Records Counsel.
00:15:16 Speaker 1
And we do that.
00:15:17 Speaker 1
Because of the Safe Harbor that's in the.
00:15:19 Speaker 1
So talk a little bit.
00:15:20 Speaker 1
About the importance of the Safe Harbor.
00:15:24 Speaker 2
So I did want to say there are two different Safe Harbor.
00:15:28 Speaker 2
Provisions and so one is a policy on our website and that is under Tennessee Code 84604.
00:15:36 Speaker 2
So it requires our office to issue a Safe Harbor policy records custodians who adhere to our policies and guidelines.
00:15:48 Speaker 2
And that is.
00:15:49 Speaker 2
More geared toward the schedule of reasonable charges. And so, you know, we have $0.15 per page for black and white copy and how to charge for labor and that kind of thing. So that's one safe hardware provision and then in 10.
00:16:05 Speaker 2
7505.
00:16:07 Speaker 2
There is a.
00:16:09 Speaker 2
I wouldn't say it's called the Safe Harbor provision.
00:16:11 Speaker 2
You know, those are the exact words, but I think it might be more what you're getting towards.
00:16:15 Speaker 2
And so, it talks about if a governing entity willfully withholds records from a citizen, then they will be charged with all the expenses that are related to that as well as.
00:16:29 Speaker 2
Attorney's fees.
00:16:30 Speaker 2
However, consideration that will be taken is if.
00:16:36 Speaker 2
The governing entity.
00:16:36 Speaker 2
Reached out to the office of Open Records.
00:16:38 Speaker 2
Counsel, then that was.
00:16:39 Speaker 2
A mitigating factor in determining whether or not they acted willfully.
00:16:43 Speaker 2
So it's great to me reach out to our.
00:16:46 Speaker 2
Office if there is a question about.
00:16:48 Speaker 2
Whether or not you should withhold a record.
00:16:50 Speaker 2
And we can help.
00:16:52 Speaker 2
Guide you and then that.
00:16:54 Speaker 2
Is on the record for you know if something were to.
00:16:57 Speaker 1
Happen down the road, yeah, I think the important piece is.
00:17:00 Speaker 1
That is, when she says this is what you need to do, you need to follow that.
00:17:04 Speaker 1
Advice so that.
00:17:05 Speaker 1
When the court looks at whether or not the.
00:17:07 Speaker 1
Violation was willful.
00:17:08 Speaker 1
They can see that you actually followed the advice and suppose you just got it and didn't do anything with it.
00:17:13 Speaker 2
That's very good.
00:17:15
I think if we.
00:17:16 Speaker 2
Advise something and.
00:17:16 Speaker 1
Then they found that you did that.
00:17:18 Speaker 1
Exactly, exactly.
00:17:18 Speaker 2
Opposite might not have the same.
00:17:20 Speaker 2
Effect right? Exactly.
00:17:23 Speaker 1
What advice would you like to give to the audience on dealing with public records and open meetings issues knowing that our audience in local government?
00:17:33 Speaker 2
Yeah, absolutely. This is my #1.
00:17:35 Speaker 2
Piece of advice I.
00:17:36 Speaker 2
Encourage dialogue between the requester and the governing entity.
00:17:41 Speaker 2
I just think it's so important.
00:17:43 Speaker 2
You know, sometimes.
00:17:45 Speaker 2
We will see.
00:17:45 Speaker 2
A local government reach out and say.
00:17:47 Speaker 2
OK, we got.
00:17:48 Speaker 2
This request is it OK if?
00:17:50 Speaker 2
I ask them X and yes it.
00:17:53 Speaker 2
Is OK, I encourage that dialogue.
00:17:54 Speaker 2
To say let me help.
00:17:56 Speaker 2
You help me, help you what are?
00:17:59 Speaker 2
You looking for how?
00:18:00 Speaker 2
Can we make this efficient?
00:18:02 Speaker 2
And sometimes.
00:18:03 Speaker 2
The citizen really doesn't know what they're looking for.
00:18:05 Speaker 2
They don't know.
00:18:06 Speaker 2
How their records are maintained or what's?
00:18:08 Speaker 2
The most efficient way.
00:18:09 Speaker 2
To get what they're looking for and so.
00:18:11 Speaker 2
I think that's, you know, if you can make it.
00:18:14 Speaker 2
A friendly process and work together.
00:18:17 Speaker 2
It's going to be so much easier for both parties, I understand.
00:18:19 Speaker 2
That's always the case, but it's kind of.
00:18:21 Speaker 2
One piece of advice.
00:18:23 Speaker 2
Next, you don't know ask.
00:18:25 Speaker 2
There's so many great resources.
00:18:27 Speaker 2
I always say see tasks and tasks.
00:18:30 Speaker 2
Also consult with your local attorney on issues.
00:18:33 Speaker 2
And then reach.
00:18:33 Speaker 2
Out to our office.
00:18:35 Speaker 2
But you know.
00:18:37 Speaker 2
You can't just have situation if you've never had.
00:18:39 Speaker 2
A public records request before and just ignore it.
00:18:42 Speaker 2
Right.
00:18:42 Speaker 2
You know, because we don't do that.
00:18:43 Speaker 2
Well, there are you know requirements under.
00:18:45 Speaker 2
The law that you have.
00:18:46 Speaker 2
To abide by and there are resources for you, so utilize your resources.
00:18:50 Speaker 2
Reach out.
00:18:51 Speaker 2
Someone is going to.
00:18:53 Speaker 2
Be able to help you with your issues.
00:18:58 Speaker 1
Those who don't know how to contact you, will you share your e-mail address?
00:19:02 Speaker 1
And your phone number.
00:19:04 Speaker 1
Or e-mail.
00:19:04 Speaker 2
This will go sometimes I get people asking it what's your personal e-mail? This is e-mail address that I check every single day. So it's open.records@cot.tn.gov and our phone number.
00:19:18 Speaker 2
Is 615-401-7891.
00:19:22 Speaker 1
And what about the?
00:19:24 Speaker 1
Office of Open Records Counsel.
00:19:26 Speaker 1
Website Can give the website address, yes.
00:19:28 Speaker 2
So that is comptroller.ten.gov.
00:19:32 Speaker 2
And on that page you'll see office functions.
00:19:34 Speaker 2
And under office functions is our Open Records Counsel page and like I said, tons of resources there, so please utilize that and reach out.
00:19:42 Speaker 2
We can't find something.
00:19:43 Speaker 2
We're happy.
00:19:44 Speaker 2
To you know help you.
00:19:45 Speaker 2
Come get what you're looking for.
00:19:48 Speaker 1
Right.
00:19:49 Speaker 1
So, Maria, as we close, please share with the audience information about the free.
00:19:54 Speaker 1
And I said free
00:19:54 Speaker 1
I want to repeat free a training opportunity that's coming up in September and October and what they needed to take advantage of that training, yes.
00:20:02 Speaker 2
So it's something we're really.
00:20:03 Speaker 2
Excited about we'll go over.
00:20:06 Speaker 2
New legislation.
00:20:08 Speaker 2
We cover public records, laws and procedures within meeting requirements.
00:20:11 Speaker 2
And exceptions to.
00:20:12 Speaker 2
The Public Records act.
00:20:14 Speaker 2
So there can be three different training seminars.
00:20:17 Speaker 2
Each will be 2 hours.
00:20:18 Speaker 2
It is the exact same training, so no need to, you know, attend all three.
00:20:23 Speaker 2
Unless you really are passionate about open records, then feel free. But we'll have one in September, September 26, and that's going to be in Jackson, TN.
00:20:34 Speaker 2
And then we have one on October 5th in Knoxville and the third is October 13th in Nashville.
00:20:42 Speaker 2
And so these are all in person exclusively.
00:20:44 Speaker 2
There's not going to.
00:20:45 Speaker 2
Be a virtual option.
00:20:46 Speaker 2
However, we are considering a fourth purely virtual option.
00:20:51 Speaker 1
If someone can't.
00:20:52 Speaker 2
Make it so just keep your eyes open.
00:20:54 Speaker 2
And and and you know earlier date we might have more information about the virtual training and that'll be after October 13th.
00:21:04 Speaker 2
And then one more thing.
00:21:05 Speaker 2
The training qualifies for certified municipal Finance Officer, certified County Finance officer and Utility Commissioner training credits.
00:21:14 Speaker 1
So that's again center.
00:21:16 Speaker 2
Yes, and if you'd like to.
00:21:19 Speaker 2
Sign up you can reach out to.
00:21:22 Speaker 2
Catherine.faulk@cot.tn.gov
00:21:39 Speaker 2
Can give us a call on our website?
00:21:41 Speaker 2
There's information there, so there's actually a flyer with all the information I went over about the open records.
00:21:47 Speaker 1
Thank you so much.
00:21:49 Speaker 1
And with that, I want to encourage as many of you as possible to attend the training that Maria just discussed, because based on the volume of calls that the Office of Open Records Counsel receives and the volume that we receive here at MTAS
00:22:00 Speaker 1
The latest records meetings.
00:22:01 Speaker 1
I know that you all have questions and these trainings are a perfect opportunity for you to learn more about these areas and get some questions answered that you might still be curious about.
00:22:11 Speaker 1
I want to say thank you very much to Maria Bush for taking time out of her busy schedule to sit down and conversate with me this morning.
00:22:19 Speaker 1
And I also want to say thank you to Abb Oglesby, who served as our producer today, please stay tuned for other great podcasts coming your way.
00:22:26 Speaker 1
Thank you all very much for listening this morning.