Knox Caucus Area
of the
Tennessee Native American Convention

Dear Knox Caucus Area Constituents:

We've been asked to make you aware of a caption bill proposing amendments to TCA 4.34., the legislation that creates and drives the Tennessee Commission on Indian Affairs. Caption bills are used simply to put existing legislation on the legislative calendar so that the legislators can, if warranted, make any amendments to the legislation during that session.

HB2415 bill specifically effects 4.34.105.  Below is the exact text of HB2415. To make this easier for you to understand how the original legislation is affected, the specific changes are noted BELOW the full text. If NOT noted in the specific changes, the wording of the item in the proposed amendment is exactly the same as the same item in the original legislation (although numbering may have changed).

It is up to each of you individually to determine whether you feel the changes are to the benefit of the Commission with regard to the job it has been charged with, and to take appropriate action.

-------------------- Begin HB2415 --------------------

Filed for intro on 01/22/2004
HOUSE BILL 2415
By Kernell

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 34, Part 1, relative to the Tennessee Commission of Indian affairs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-34-105, is amended by deleting such section in its entirety and by substituting instead the following:

Section 4-34-105.
    (a) Commission meetings shall be held at least quarterly.

    (b) Prior to a commission meeting, at least ten (10) days' notice shall be given in writing to all organizations in Tennessee that have requested such notification. Notice shall be given by mail and by e-mail, if the organization provides such information to the commission. The commission shall also place notice of its meeting times and places on the website of the Tennessee commission of Indian affairs.

    (c) Emergency meetings of the commission may be called by the chair. Notice of such emergency meetings and the grounds for calling an emergency meeting shall be placed on the website of the Tennessee commission of Indian affairs before any such emergency meeting is conducted.

    (d) The minutes of all commission meetings shall be placed on the website of the Tennessee commission of Indian affairs within one hundred (100) days of the meeting. Minutes of all prior commission meetings shall be accessible on the commission's website.

    (e)
        (1) Annual reports of the commission shall be approved within one hundred (100) days of their submission to the commission.

        (2) Annual reports of the commission shall be placed on the website of the Tennessee commission of Indian affairs for public access within forty-five (45) days of their approval.

        (3) All prior annual reports shall be accessible on the commission's website.

    (f) Four (4) commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the conducting of business of the commission.

    (g) Agendas for commission meetings shall be delivered to each member of the commission at least one (1) week prior to the commission meeting.

    (h) Minutes of all commission meetings shall be mailed or e-mailed to all commission members.

    (i) Robert's Rules of Order shall govern meetings of the commission when not in conflict with specific bylaws or other rules as may be adopted by the board.

    (j) Members of the commission are to serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for travel expenses.

    (k) The commission is authorized to raise and expend funds for the purpose of carrying out the mission of the commission, however, the commission is to operate without dependence on state appropriations.

    (l)

        (1) Commission meetings shall not be adjourned until members of the public attending such meetings have had an opportunity to address the commission.

        (2) A summary of comments made by members of the public attending such meetings shall be entered into the minutes of the commission.

    (m) The chairperson shall appoint three (3) members of the commission to establish a rules commission. The rules commission shall develop procedural and operating rules for the commission. The commission shall approve of all proposed rules by a majority vote before such rules take effect.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

-------------------- End HB2415 / Begin Specific Changes --------------------

Specific changes from original legislation:

Changes affected by Items A, B, & C above:
Deletes: The statement that restricted Commission meetings to Saturdays only and required rotation through the metro area Caucus cities (was the original item "b"): "Commission meetings shall be held on Saturdays. The locations of commission meetings shall rotate among the cities of Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville."

Adds: Chairman's ability to call an emergency meeting if needed (new item "c").

Changes affected by Items D-M above:
Extends: Length of time Commission has to approve Annual Report from 45 days to 100.