4-50-102 - Meetings Officers Bylaws Rules Executive director Duties of council.
4-50-102. Meetings Officers Bylaws Rules Executive director Duties of council.
(a) (1) The economic council shall meet as necessary to transact business; provided, that meetings shall be held at least quarterly. Special meetings may be called by the chair or by three (3) members of the economic council, upon delivery of written notice to each member of the economic council. All members shall be duly notified of the time and place of any regular or special meeting at least seven (7) days in advance of such meeting. The economic council may conduct meetings, which must be open to the public by telephone conference calls with speaker phones, or electronic conferencing, or both. Such meetings shall conform to the requirements of title 8, chapter 44, part 1. The economic council shall elect at the first regular meeting of each calendar year a chair, a vice chair, and three (3) representatives, one (1) from each of the three (3) grand divisions, who shall comprise the five-member executive committee to function between quarterly meetings. The chair or the executive director may call meetings of the executive committee. The executive committee shall carry out the matters delegated to it by the full economic council. The majority of the members of the economic council shall constitute a quorum and the concurrence of a majority of those present and voting in any matter within its duties shall be required for a determination of matters within its jurisdiction.
(2) Each member shall serve without compensation. Each member is eligible for expense reimbursement only for attendance at the regularly scheduled quarterly meetings. All reimbursement for travel expenses shall be in accordance with the provisions of the comprehensive travel regulations promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.
(b) (1) The economic council shall promulgate bylaws to provide for the election of officers, establishment of committees, meetings and regulations as to procedural matters of the economic council. The economic council shall conduct its meetings using Robert's Rules of Order.
(2) The council is also authorized to promulgate, amend, revise and rescind rules for its own functioning in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act compiled in chapter 5 of this title.
(c) The economic council has the authority to hire an executive director who shall serve at the pleasure of the economic council.
(d) The economic council shall address the economic concerns and needs of women in Tennessee, which concerns and needs include, but are not limited to, employment policies and practices, educational needs and opportunities, child care, property rights, health care, domestic relations, and the effect of federal and state laws on women. In order to address these concerns and needs of women, the council may conduct research, hold hearings, develop recommendations and policy, educate the public and engage in activities for the benefit of women.
(e) The economic council is authorized to request funds from the federal government and private sources to implement subsection (d).
(f) The economic council shall consult with and report to the governor, the women's legislative caucus, the general assembly, and the pertinent agencies, departments, boards, commissions and other entities of state and local governments on matters pertaining to women. Furthermore, the economic council may request assistance from the departments of state and local governments, and advisory committees as needed.
(g) (1) The economic council shall serve as an advocate for women.
(2) The council shall set up and execute a program to find and encourage women to serve on state boards and commissions.
(h) To the extent resources to do so exist, the economic council shall evaluate and quantify the results of job training programs that currently exist, and evaluate whether they are helping women to obtain better employment.
(i) For administrative purposes, the economic council on women is attached to the department of state for all matters relating to receipts, disbursements, expense accounts, budget, audit, and other related items.
[Acts 1998, ch. 1045, § 2.]