The Public Meetings Act requires that governing bodies during each public meeting "reserve a period for public comment to provide the public with the opportunity to comment on matters that are germane to the items on the agenda for the meeting." T.C.A. § 8-44-112. The municipality may adopt reasonable rules governing public comments, which may include setting the total amount of meeting time comments will be heard, limiting the time each speaker may comment and requiring speakers to sign up in advance of the meeting. If such rules are adopted, the notice of public meetings shall include information about how speakers may sign up for public comments. The law requires the city to ensure any opposing viewpoints are represented fairly.

The law requiring public comment periods does not apply "where the governing body is conducting a disciplinary hearing for a member of the governing body or a person whose profession or activities fall within the jurisdiction of the governing body." T.C.A. § 8-44-112. It also does not apply to require public comments during a meeting with "no actionable items on the agenda." T.C.A. § 8-44-112.