All Roll Calls
Yes: 234 • No: 17
TennesseeHB 2251114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 17 and Title 40, relative to criminal magistrates.
Sponsored By: Rusty Grills, Rusty (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Pilot criminal magistrates in busy counties
The law creates a pilot for criminal magistrates in the ten counties with the highest criminal caseloads, based on the comptroller’s annual weighted study. By December 1, 2026, the Administrative Office of the Courts notifies each eligible county’s legislative body. After notice, a county may pass an ordinance to create the magistrate position. Judges with criminal jurisdiction in that county, not including general sessions judges, appoint the magistrate. Appointments may begin no earlier than January 1, 2027. The act takes effect when it becomes law, but these dates control when counties act.
What these magistrates can do
Criminal magistrates handle arraignments and initial appearance hearings and set initial bonds. They decide if a defendant is indigent. They can accept guilty pleas for misdemeanors and Class D and E felonies. They issue search and arrest warrants and run preliminary hearings. They also review collateral petitions in misdemeanors and Class D and E felonies and may issue summary orders when appropriate.
Counties fund four-year magistrate posts
A criminal magistrate serves a four-year term and may be removed by a majority of judges with criminal jurisdiction. Counties must pay the magistrate from the county general fund. A majority of the county’s elected judges with criminal jurisdiction set the pay, and the county legislative body must approve it.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rusty Grills, Rusty
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/23/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/23/2026
Yes: 28 • No: 5
Senate vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/21/2026
Yes: 25 • No: 6
Senate vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/21/2026
Yes: 25 • No: 6
House vote • 4/13/2026
FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/13/2026
Yes: 94 • No: 0
House vote • 4/9/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 4/7/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Yes: 28 • No: 0
House vote • 4/1/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 3/25/2026
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Yes: 17 • No: 0
House vote • 3/11/2026
HOUSE CIVIL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Pub. Ch. 1017
5/26/2026Effective date(s) 05/19/2026
5/26/2026Signed by Governor.
5/19/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026SenateEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/30/2026HouseSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2026HouseLift tableing motion
4/23/2026SenateMotion to reconsider adopted. (Amendment 1 - SA1065)
4/23/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA1065)
4/23/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 28, Nays 5
4/23/2026SenateH. nonconcurred in S. am. no. 1
4/22/2026HousePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 4/23/2026
4/22/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/21/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA1065)
4/21/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 6
4/21/2026SenateReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/14/2026SenatePassed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0
4/13/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/13/2026HouseH. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/13/2026
4/9/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026
4/8/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/7/2026HouseRec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/1/2026HousePlaced on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/7/2026
4/1/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
3/25/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA1065
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