Tn.: Advocates keep a close eye as lawmakers mull public records bills

At a recent panel discussion hosted by the Tennessee Press Association, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and House Speaker Beth Harwell said they would be open to reviewing the hundreds of exemptions to the state’s public records law.

During the interaction, the leaders were pressed on the possibility of including a sunset provision on any new exemptions that are added to the public records law.

“I think that’s an idea that we need to probably pursue,” McNally said.

While the discussion on open records was relatively brief, it provided insight and hope for open records advocates who worry about the continuing effort to limit access to public records in Tennessee.

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