House Bill 2184 and Senate Bill 1858 propose amendments to Tennessee's civil procedure laws, specifically within Title 20, Chapter 18 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. The bills include significant changes to the process of filing civil actions. Notably, they amend Section 20-18-101 by replacing the existing subdivisions (b)(1) and (2) with new provisions that require the filing party to notify the presiding judge of the judicial district, who will then inform the supreme court. The supreme court is tasked with selecting a three-judge panel from different regions of the state to hear the case, ensuring a diverse representation.

Additionally, the bills amend Section 20-18-102 to establish that the venue for civil actions can be in any county within the state, overriding previous restrictions. They also modify Section 20-18-105(a) by changing the notice period from "fifteen (15) calendar days" to "ninety (90) calendar days." The proposed changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the need for these updates to enhance the civil procedure framework in Tennessee.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20-18-105(a), 20-18-105
Amended with SA0619 -- 03/19/2026: 20-18-105(a), 20-18-105, 20-18-101, 20-18-102