Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Tennessee law allows municipalities to adopt reasonable rules and regulations relating to accessing public records. Every municipality was statutorily required to have a public records policy adopted by July 1, 2018. The policy was, at a minimum, required to include:

1. The process for making requests to inspect public records or receive copies of public records and a copy of any required request form;
2. The process for responding to requests, including redaction practices;
3. A statement of any fees charged for copies of public records and the procedures for billing and payment; and
4. The name or title and the contact information of the individual or individuals within such governmental entity designated as the PRRC.

MTAS developed a sample public records resolution to assist municipalities in adopting a policy. The sample resolution is found here: Sample Resolution Adopting a Public Records Policy | MTAS (tennessee.edu)