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VOL. 42 | NO. 50 | Friday, December 14, 2018
Lawmakers urge more scrutiny on public records exemptions
NASHVILLE (AP) — A small group of Tennessee lawmakers is recommending more scrutiny for all future public records exemptions.
Lawmakers on the Open Records Ad Hoc Committee met for the final time Thursday after spending the past few months reviewing the state's policy on withholding documents from the public.
Republican Rep. Jason Zachary, from Knoxville, says one suggestion could require any legislative proposals to be reviewed by a government operations joint panel. However, attorneys for the committee are still finalizing the recommendations. Those won't be released for another two weeks.
Lawmakers are also recommending a panel, possibly government operations, should also be tasked with reviewing the state's current exemptions because they have more resources.
Gov.-elect Bill Lee has also called for a complete overall of the state's open meeting and public records laws.