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SB 1879

Public Records - As enacted, deletes expiration dates for certain public record exemptions. - Amends TCA Section 10-7-504.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

The bill makes certain public records exemptions permanent by removing their expiration dates.

Pub. Ch. 672
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Bill Summary · SB 1879

Summary of Tennessee SB 1879 (Session 114) – Public Records Exemptions Expiration Deletion

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to remove expiration dates that currently apply to certain public record exemptions in Tennessee. In effect, it makes permanent several exemptions from public records disclosure that were previously set to expire on a specific date.

Key Provisions

  • Amendments to Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 10-7-504:
    • The bill deletes specific expiration-triggered provisions, effectively extending the duration of the following exemptions indefinitely:
    • Subdivisions (a)(4)(H)(ii), (a)(31)(F), (a)(32)(B), (f)(9), and (u)(5) within § 10-7-504.
  • Effective date:
    • The act becomes law upon the date of enactment, with the public welfare requiring it (i.e., immediate effect post-signature).

Who/What Is Affected

  • Government agencies and records subject to public records laws in Tennessee:
    • Exemptions currently covered by the deleted expiration provisions will remain exempt permanently unless further legislative action is taken.
    • Public bodies, records custodians, and requesters seeking access to public records should note the permanence of these exemptions going forward.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative history indicates the bill underwent standard passage through both chambers in 2026:
    • Passed the Senate and House, with formal signatures completed in March 2026.
    • Public Chapter 672 (SB 1879) indicates effective dates tied to signature and customary effective-date timing.
  • Fiscal impact:
    • Described as “Not significant” by the Fiscal Review Committee.
    • Assumptions: Removal of expiration dates on a limited set of exemptions is not expected to meaningfully affect state or local government operations or costs.

Practical Implications

  • Access to information: Some public records will remain confidential or restricted indefinitely, rather than reverting to general disclosure after an expiration date.
  • Policy certainty: Agencies will not need to renew or reassess certain exemptions periodically, reducing administrative adjustments related to expiration triggers.
  • Balance considerations: The measure codifies ongoing confidentiality for specific categories of records, which may influence transparency expectations for those areas.

Additional Notes

  • The bill references targeted amendments to a small, defined list of exemptions within § 10-7-504, rather than broad reform of public records laws.
  • Readers may wish to review the specific statutory text of the deleted subparts (a)(4)(H)(ii), (a)(31)(F), (a)(32)(B), (f)(9), and (u)(5) to understand exactly which exemptions are being made permanent.

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

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