Section 8-30-306 - Filling position in preferred service proposed by appointing authority(a)(1) Whenever an appointing authority proposes to fill a position in the preferred service, the authority shall submit to the commissioner a statement showing the position to be filled, the duties for such position, the official station, the minimum qualifications and preferred skill, abilities, competencies and knowledge of the person to be appointed.(2) The commissioner shall refer a pool of candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the position.(3) An appointing authority shall offer an invitation to interview to a minimum of three (3) applicants from the referred pool of candidates, if three (3) or more applicants are in the pool. If fewer than three (3) applicants are in the pool of candidates, then the appointing authority shall invite each person in the pool to interview.(4) Within thirty (30) calendar days after being referred a pool of candidates, the appointing authority shall appoint one (1) of the applicants in the pool of candidates.(b) Upon the request of the appointing authority, the commissioner may establish employment, promotional, unit, divisional or any other pool of candidates as deemed necessary or appropriate.(c) If the official station of the vacancy to be filled is permanently located outside the geographic boundaries of the state, then the appointing authority may fill the vacancy without complying with subsections (a) and (b).(d) In applying this chapter, no person shall give any weight to political opinions or affiliation. No person holding a position in the preferred service shall solicit, directly or indirectly, or require any other person to solicit, directly or indirectly, donations or contributions for any political party, candidate, cause or purpose in order to acquire or deny a position in state service or to materially affect the retention, promotion or demotion of any employee in state service.Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 655, Secs.s8, s9, s10 eff. 7/1/2022.Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 655, s 7, eff. 7/1/2022. Acts 2012 , ch. 800, § 27.