Tennessee Public Records Act

Description

State public records laws are predicated on a basic and fundamental tenet in our constitutional republic: open and transparent government. Although many people are familiar with the federal Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), some may be surprised to learn that each state has its own public records law that applies to state and local governments, and it is often broader than the federal FOIA. Under state public records laws, transparency is the rule, and secrecy is the exception. The purpose of these laws is to ensure that public activities are open to public review. As the Tennessee Supreme Court put it: "the public records law is necessary to ensure that governmental officials and agencies remain accountable to the people."

Goldwater Institute Vice President for Litigation Jon Riches will discuss the components of an effective public records request, the legal landscape in Tennessee, and what to do in the event of a records request denial.

Beacon Center of Tennessee—a​ Nashville-based nonprofit that advances the economic liberty and property rights of Tennesseans—w​ill co-host the event.

Speakers

Jon Riches, Vice President for Litigation and General Counsel, Goldwater Institute

Commentary by Ben Stormes, Attorney, Beacon Center of Tennessee

Other Information

Dinner will be available at 5:30pm, and the program will begin at 6pm.

This program has been approved for 1.0 hour of general CLE credit.

Host or Publisher Goldwater Institute and Beacon Center of Tennessee