Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-69-112: Membership in cooperative

(a) Only distribution cooperatives, governmental electric systems, energy acquisition corporations, another G&T cooperative and joint action agencies created under the laws of any state shall be eligible to be members of a G&T cooperative. Members must meet such other qualifications and criteria for membership as may be established in the bylaws of the G&T cooperative. To the extent not inconsistent with this chapter, member classifications, qualifications, rights and obligations may be established for patron members and for nonpatron members as the bylaws shall provide.

(b) Members that are governmental electric systems shall act through the board or supervisory body having responsibility for the members' electric systems or pursuant to ordinances or resolutions adopted by such governing boards, which may include ordinances or resolutions that delegate the authorization to act on behalf of the governmental electric system to one (1) or more employees or officials of the system.

(c) Members shall be subject to any other qualifications, limitations, rights and obligations with respect to membership and to other provisions with respect to a member's admission, resignation, withdrawal, suspension, expulsion and termination as the board of directors or the members shall establish through the G&T cooperative's bylaws.