House Bill 2114 and Senate Bill 2450 propose a study by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to evaluate the effectiveness of newspapers of general circulation as a means for local governments to provide public notices. The study will assess historical changes in public notice methods, the evolution of newspaper circulation and publication frequency in Tennessee, and the percentage of subscribers relative to the population. Additionally, TACIR will investigate the capabilities of government entities to establish public notice systems, including maintaining archives and ensuring data integrity, as well as the costs associated with these online platforms.

The bill also mandates TACIR to analyze the financial implications of current newspaper publication requirements on taxpayers and whether citizens should incur subscription fees for accessing public notices. Furthermore, the study will consider the impact of broadband access, particularly in rural areas, on the dissemination of online public notices. TACIR is required to consult with various stakeholders, including local governments and newspaper publishers, and will report its findings and recommendations to relevant legislative committees upon completion of the study. The act will take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1-3-120
Amended with SA0870 -- 04/13/2026: 1-3-120
Amended with SA0870, HA1213 -- 04/22/2026: 1-3-120