House Bill 1858 amends Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance the conduct of community meetings by allowing electronic participation. The bill defines "community meeting" as a gathering of community members to discuss public business and establishes that a "local governing body" consists of two or more members authorized to make decisions or recommendations. The new provisions enable local governing bodies to conduct community meetings with members participating electronically, ensuring that the public can view, listen, and participate in real-time, depending on the format of the meeting.

Additionally, the bill mandates that local governing bodies provide adequate notice of community meetings, including details about electronic participation and physical locations for in-person attendance. It requires the recording of meetings, which must be posted on the governing body's website for at least one year and retained for three years. The bill also stipulates that members participating electronically must be identifiable and able to communicate effectively, but prohibits voting on any matters during such meetings. This legislation aims to improve transparency and accessibility in local governance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 8-44-108(a), 8-44-108