Human Relations Commission adopts updated bylaws; quorum rule set to change after council ordinance

The Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt revisions to its rules and bylaws, updates staff said were largely housekeeping and the product of a multi-year review with Metro Legal.

A motion to accept the changes was made and seconded; the commission then voted “aye” and the chair announced the motion passed. Commissioners thanked the committee and legal staff for their work preparing the revisions.

Commission staff told members the commission should expect a related change soon: a mayoral task force has drafted an ordinance to standardize quorum rules across Metro boards and commissions. Staff said that ordinance had its first reading April 15, was scheduled for a second reading the next day, and was expected to be considered for third reading on May 20. If the ordinance passes, its quorum provision will supersede the commission’s bylaws; staff said the anticipated change would set quorum by simple majority and reduce the commission’s membership from 17 to 15 as part of a broader standardization.

Commissioners said they would present any required bylaw changes for formal action at the next meeting to align with the expected ordinance. No council or ordinance language was quoted in full at the meeting; staff characterized the change as a “simple majority” quorum and said Metro Legal and the mayoral task force had discussed a path to adjust membership counts.

The adopted bylaws reflect edits recommended by the rules and bylaws committee, and staff said the Historical Commission consulted archival materials during the review. The motion to adopt the updated bylaws passed with no recorded dissents.