Senate Bill 166 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 16-2-506(28)(A), to establish an additional circuit court in the twenty-eighth judicial district, effective September 1, 2025. The bill stipulates that the governor will appoint a judge to serve in this new circuit court until September 1, 2026, or until a successor is elected and qualified. The election for the circuit court judge will take place during the August 2026 general election, with the elected judge serving until September 1, 2030, after which judges will be elected for full eight-year terms.

The bill aims to enhance the judicial capacity in the twenty-eighth district by creating this additional circuit court, thereby addressing potential increases in case loads and improving access to justice for residents. The act is set to take effect immediately upon becoming law, emphasizing the urgency of the public welfare in this legislative decision.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-2-506(28)(A), 16-2-506