Tennessee’s Gov. Bill Lee stepped up Friday when he issued an executive order that governments are allowed to meet online for the next several weeks, but they must continue their responsibility to keep citizens in the loop – coronavirus or not.
Lee’s order mandated those meetings remain at least somewhat open. There was already at least one bill that would have done this last week, but Tennessee lawmakers during their marathon budget session couldn’t reach agreement about the provisions.
So Lee settled the issue with his very reasonable order.
The governor’s mandate says that until May 18 each government may meet online, but each also has to make a reasonable effort to livestream that meeting. If that’s not available, the local body has to record the meeting with clear audio or video and put it online within two days of the meeting.
The order requires local governments to stay in accordance with the state’s Constitution, and to tell the public ahead of time that the meeting will be held electronically, as well as provide clear instructions on how residents can access the livestream and the recording.