Chapter Definitions

1. Law
2. Tennessee Code
3. Civil Procedure
4. Tennessee Public Participation Act
5. Chapter Definitions

As used in this chapter:

1. “Communication” means the making or submitting of a statement or document in any form or medium, including oral, written, audiovisual, or electronic;
2. “Exercise of the right of association” means exercise of the constitutional right to join together to take collective action on a matter of public concern that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution;
3. “Exercise of the right of free speech” means a communication made in connection with a matter of public concern or religious expression that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution;
4. “Exercise of the right to petition” means a communication that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution and:
   1. Is intended to encourage consideration or review of an issue by a federal, state, or local legislative, executive, judicial, or other governmental body; or
   2. Is intended to enlist public participation in an effort to effect consideration of an issue by a federal, state, or local legislative, executive, judicial, or other governmental body;
5. “Legal action” means a claim, cause of action, petition, cross-claim, or counterclaim or any request for legal or equitable relief initiated against a private party;
6. “Matter of public concern” includes an issue related to:
   1. Health or safety;
   2. Environmental, economic, or community well-being;
   3. The government;
   4. A public official or public figure;
   5. A good, product, or service in the marketplace;
   6. A literary, musical, artistic, political, theatrical, or audiovisual work; or
   7. Any other matter deemed by a court to involve a matter of public concern; and
7. “Party” does not include a governmental entity, agency, or employee.

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