Periods for public comment are subject to the following parameters:

1. (1) Written notification to request to speak at a meeting must be sent to and received by Board staff at utilities@cot.tn.gov at least two business days in advance of the meeting. The email should include the proposed speaker’s name, the agenda item(s) upon which the speaker wishes to comment, and whether the speaker’s comments will be in favor of or opposed to the agenda item(s). Speakers will be selected on a first-come first-served basis.
2. (2) The public comment period will be held at the beginning of the meeting once the meeting is called to order and a quorum has been established.
3. (3) Speakers will be limited to three minutes per person per agenda item, with a maximum of two speakers in favor of and two speakers opposed to each agenda item.
4. (4) Speakers must identify themselves at the beginning of their allotted time and stay on the topic of the agenda item(s) that they have indicated their desire to speak on when addressing the Board.
5. (5) Speakers should conduct themselves in a respectful manner and will be asked to remove themselves if they engage in threatening or disruptive behavior.
6. (6) The Board, in its discretion, may ask relevant questions of any speakers providing public comment. Such question period will not be included in the speaker’s allotted time frame.
7. (7) The Chair may extend the allotted time frame or the number of speakers for a particular agenda item if the Chair determines that the circumstances reasonably require it. If the Chair extends the allotted time frame or the number of speakers, the Chair shall ensure that an equal extension is granted to both those in favor of and opposed to any agenda item subject to an extension.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-201, et seq., 7-82-702, and 8-44-112. Administrative History: New rules filed May 5, 2025; effective August 3, 2025.