(a) There is created the office of open records counsel to answer questions and provide information to public officials and the public regarding public records. The role of the office shall also include collecting data on open meetings law inquiries and problems and providing educational outreach on the open records laws, compiled in title 10, chapter 7, and the open meetings laws, compiled in chapter 44 of this title.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 8-4-601

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Attorney general: means the attorney general and reporter and any assistant thereto by whatever name known, any district attorney general and any assistant thereto by whatever name called, and any officer or full-time employee of the general assembly or any committee thereof established by statute, who is duly licensed to practice law in Tennessee, whose duty it is to provide facilities for drafting bills or to assist individual legislators in drafting bills or who renders legal advice and services to the members of the general assembly or committees thereof. See Tennessee Code 8-34-101
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
  • State: means the state of Tennessee. See Tennessee Code 8-34-101
(b) The office of open records counsel shall answer questions and issue informal advisory opinions as expeditiously as possible to any person, including local government officials, members of the public and the media. State officials shall continue to consult with the office of the attorney general and reporter for such opinions. Any opinion issued by the office of open records counsel shall be posted on the office’s web site.
(c) The office of open records counsel is authorized to informally mediate and assist with the resolution of issues concerning the open records laws, compiled in title 10, chapter 7.
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