Tennessee § 4-5-203 - Notice of hearing.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 4-5-203 — Notice of hearing., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 4-5-203. Notice of hearing.
Whenever an agency is required by law to hold a public hearing as part of its rulemaking process, the agency shall: Transmit written notice of the hearings to the secretary of state for publication in the notice section of the administrative register web site and, if a statute applicable to the specific agency or a specific rule or class of rules under consideration requires some other form of publication, publish notice as required by that statute in addition to publication in the notice section of the administrative register web site. Such notice of a hearing shall remain on the web site until the date of such hearing; Whenever an agency is required by law to hold a public hearing as part of its rulemaking process, the agency shall make copies of the rule available in redline form to persons in attendance at the hearing. As used in this subsection (a), “redline form” has the same meaning as defined in § 4-5-226(i)(2)(B); Take such other steps as it deems necessary to convey effective notice to persons who are likely to have an interest in the proposed rulemaking. Except as otherwise permitted by § 4-5-204(e), notice through publication on the administrative register web site shall be given at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date set for the hearing and shall be deemed to have been given seven (7) days from the date notice was transmitted to the secretary of state for such publication. The notice required under subdivision (a)(1)(A) shall include: A statement of the time and place at which the hearing is to be held; The express terms of the rule being proposed; provided, that an informative summary reasonably calculated to give notice to interested parties may be substituted for the express terms of the proposed rule if: The express terms of the rule being proposed are filed with the secretary of state; The secretary of state determines that publication of the entire text of the proposed rule would be impractical; and The complete text of the express terms of the proposed rule is made available by the secretary of state or the agency for public inspection and copying; Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude an agency from making changes in the rule being proposed after the public hearing, so long as the changes are within the scope of the rulemaking notice filed with the secretary of state; Insofar as practicable, a reference to the statutory authority pursuant to which the agency proposed to adopt the rule; and Any additional matter that may be prescribed by statute applicable to the specific rule or class of rules under consideration. Failure of any person to receive notice of a hearing on proposed rulemaking is not grounds for invalidating the resulting rule if notice of the hearing was published as provided in subdivision (a)(1). The secretary of state shall prescribe rules governing the manner and form in which written notice of hearings shall be transmitted by the agencies to the secretary of state for publication in the notice section of the administrative register web site. The secretary of state may require the online submission of notices of hearing and related filings pursuant to this part. The secretary of state may refuse to accept for publication any notice of hearing transmitted that does not conform to such requirements, in which case transmission of notice shall be deemed not to have been satisfied under subdivision (a)(1) and subsection (b). Except as provided in subdivision (f)(2), a hearing shall be conducted prior to the adoption of a permanent rule if such rule was filed previously as an emergency rule pursuant to § 4-5-208. A hearing shall not be required if the emergency rule was required by an agency of the federal government and adoption of the rule through ordinary rulemaking procedures might jeopardize the loss of a federal program or funds. Acts 1975, ch. 370, § 8; T.C.A., §§ 4-531, 4-5-125; Acts 1982, ch. 874, § 11; 1986, ch. 738, § 6; 1991, ch. 346, §§ 1, 2; 2009, ch. 566, §§ 6, 7; 2010, ch. 1125, § 1; 2014, ch. 782, § 2; 2016, ch. 576, § 2; 2018, ch. 611, §§ 1, 2. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2009, ch. 566, § 25 provided that the act shall apply to all rules and regulations filed with the secretary of state after July 1, 2009. Acts 2010, ch. 1125, § 2 provided that the act, which added subsection (f), shall apply to all rules and regulations filed with the secretary of state after July 1, 2010. Amendments. The 2016 amendment added the current second sentence in (e). The 2018 amendment added (a)(2) and redesignated former (a)(2) to be present (a)(3); and rewrote the introductory language of (c) which read: “The notice that this section requires an agency to give shall include”. Effective Dates. Acts 2016, ch. 576, § 9. July 1, 2016. Acts 2018, ch. 611, § 3. July 1, 2018. Law Reviews. State Rulemaking Under the Administrative Procedures Act — Legal Remedies (William N. Bates), 16 Tenn. B.J. No. 2, 21 (1980). Embracing Our Public Purpose: A Value-Based Lawyer-Licensing Model, 48 U. Mem. L. Rev. 351 (2017). Attorney General Opinions. The pharmacy based immunization program guidelines adopted by the Tennessee board of pharmacy are void as they were not promulgated as rules under the provisions of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, OAG 01-091, 2001 Tenn. AG LEXIS 82 (6/4/01).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 4-5-203
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 4-5-203 cover?
Section 4-5-203 ("Notice of hearing.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 4-5-203?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 4-5-203" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 4-5-203 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.