The Tennessee State Board of Equalization on Oct. 14 adopted a new rule formalizing procedures for public comment at its meetings, including a three-minute limit per speaker per agenda item.

Matthew Childress, the board’s staff attorney, told the board the rule was drafted in response to legislation requiring certain governing bodies to reserve time for public comment. "This rule includes basic notice requirements that provides 3 minutes per speaker per agenda item, allows for additional speakers and time if reasonably necessary, and does not impact state or local revenues or affect small businesses," Childress said.

Childress said the office had initially proposed two minutes per speaker but adopted a public request to increase that to three minutes to allow fuller discussion and the opportunity to answer questions. Comptroller and board members asked whether the new rule differed from prior practice; Childress replied it generally did not aside from the expanded time provision.

The board moved, seconded and adopted the rule by voice vote. The board’s clerk recorded no opposing votes during the adoption.

The rule replaces the previously proposed two-minute allocation and will govern how members of the public request to speak and how the board schedules comment time at future meetings.