Amends TCA Title 4 and Section 38-6-114.

This bill creates the Tennessee economic council on women, as discussed below. The council will consist of 21 members, as appointed as follows: (1) Nine members jointly appointed by the speakers of the house and senate, one such member appointed from each of the nine multi-county development districts created under the Development District Act of 1965 in present law; (2) Two senators appointed by the speaker of the senate; (3) Two representatives appointed by the speaker of the house; (4) One member appointed by the Tennessee black caucus of state legislators; (5) One member appointed by the female members of the general assembly; (6) One cabinet member appointed by the governor; (7) Three members appointed by the governor, one such member appointed from nominations received from the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee board of regents, and the Tennessee independent colleges and universities. This bill details the requirements of such nominee; and (8) Two at-large members appointed by the governor, who may be selected from lists of qualified persons submitted by interested local, civic, and business groups, including, the Coalition of One Hundred Black Women and League of Women Voters of Tennessee. The interested groups must actively seek persons from as broad a range within each group as is reasonably possible and must ensure that such persons broadly represent the community in such areas as age, sex, minority groups, economic levels, employment, and political affiliation. This bill details the staggered terms for initial appointments, after which members will serve four-year terms. The council member appointed by the female members of the general assembly will call the first meeting of the council to order by September 15, 2021. The full text of this bill provides requirements for meetings of the council, including that meetings be held at least quarterly and providing that special meetings may be called by the chair or by three members of the economic council, upon delivery of written notice to each member of the council. This bill requires the council to elect at the first regular meeting of each calendar year a chair, vice chair, and three representatives, one from each grand division, who comprise the five-member executive committee to function between quarterly meetings. This bill details the duties of such elected members. This bill authorizes the council to hire an executive director. Council members will serve without compensation, but will be eligible for expense reimbursement only for attendance at the regularly scheduled quarterly meetings. This bill tasks the council with addressing the economic concerns and needs of women in Tennessee, including, but 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. To do so, the council may conduct research, hold hearings, develop recommendations and policy, educate the public, and engage in activities for the benefit of women. This bill authorizes the council to request funds from the federal government and private. This bill requires the council to consult with and report to the governor, the general assembly, departments, boards, commissions, and other entities of state and local governments on matters pertaining to women. The council may request assistance from the departments of state and local governments, and advisory committees as needed. This bill requires the council to submit a biennial report to the governor and the general assembly by September 1 following the conclusion of any regular annual session occurring in an even-numbered year. The full text of this bill details the requirements for such report. For administrative purposes, the council will be attached to the department of state.