TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Mar 30, 2026

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB846/HB1268 with an amendment on March 24. The legislation — introduced by Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Eads, and Rep. Rick Scarbrough, R-Oak Ridge — now goes to the Senate Finance Committee. The bill as amended creates two additional criminal courts in the 30th Judicial District and requires the governor to appoint judges to serve through Sept. 1, 2028. An election for the posts would be held in August 2028, and the winners of that election would serve until Sept. 1, 20230. At the August 2030 general election, voters would elect judges for a full eight-year term. The bill as approved also would create four assistant district attorney general positions and two criminal investigator positions for the judicial district. The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee is set to consider the bill on April 1. The Commercial Appeal has background on the issue.