Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0080 - Department of Agriculture
Subtitle 0080-01 - Administration
Chapter 0080-01-05 - Public Records Access
Section 0080-01-05-.03 - REQUESTS FOR ACCESS TO RECORDS

(1) Requests may be submitted orally or in writing to any department employee. However, requests are not deemed received by the department until presented to the Public Records Request Coordinator (PRRC). The coordinator's contact information, including mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and email address, shall be made available at the department's internet website. Direct contact information for the coordinator is: Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Public Records Request Coordinator, Post Office Box 40627, Nashville, Tennessee 37204, (615) 837-5100.

(2) The department may require that requests for copies of public records be made in writing. Requests in writing may be submitted in person or by conventional or electronic mail.

(3) Requests to access public records for inspection only are not required in writing. However, the department may require a mailing or e-mail address from the requestor in order to provide any written communication mandated under the TPRA.

(4) A requestor must be either a Tennessee citizen or a representative of a Tennessee citizen, submitting the request on the citizen's behalf. The department may require proof of Tennessee citizenship by presentation of a valid Tennessee driver's license or alternative identification deemed acceptable by the PRRC.

(5) Production of public records may be requested in a particular format; however, the PRRC retains discretionary authority over the manner of production. Absent extraordinary circumstances the PRRC will produce public records in the manner deemed most economical and efficient and will not authorize removal of any original record from departmental facilities for copying.

(6) The department may require a reasonable appointment time and location for inspection of public records. Location for inspection of records shall be determined in the sole discretion of the PRRC.

(7) The department may aggregate records requests in accordance with the Frequent and Multiple Request Policy promulgated by the Office of Open Records Counsel.