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HB 885

Open Meetings - As enacted, expands the requirement that state and local governing bodies make an agenda available to the public prior to regular public meetings of the body to include the governing bodies of certain nonprofit organizations, including nonprofit community organizations that receive federal funding, nonprofit organizations that receive community grant funds from this state or certain funding from local governments, nonprofit organizations created for the benefit of local governments, and nonprofit organizations that provide the metropolitan government of Nashville/Davidson County with certain utility services; requires, rather than permits, such governing bodies that maintain a website to post the agenda to the website. - Amends TCA Section 8-44-110.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Todd

Requires certain federally-funded and state-grant nonprofits to publicly post meeting agendas online, expanding transparency requirements beyond government bodies to nonprofit organizations.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 360
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Bill Summary · HB 885

Legislative bill overview

HB 885 expands Tennessee's open meetings requirements to include certain nonprofit organizations that receive public funding, requiring them to post meeting agendas publicly before regular meetings. The bill changes agenda posting from permissive ("may post") to mandatory ("shall post") for organizations that maintain websites.

Why is this important

This legislation increases transparency and public access to decision-making processes for nonprofits that handle taxpayer money or serve the public interest. Citizens can better monitor how publicly-funded organizations spend resources and make decisions that affect their communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope definition: The criteria for which nonprofits are covered (federal funding recipients, state grant recipients, local government service providers) may be ambiguous and could create compliance confusion or uneven application across the state
  • Administrative burden: Smaller nonprofits with limited staff may face practical challenges meeting mandatory website posting requirements, potentially creating compliance costs
  • Privacy concerns: Open agendas might reveal sensitive information about nonprofit operations, personnel matters, or strategic decisions that could disadvantage smaller organizations competing with larger entities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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