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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: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Judges and Chancellors

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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

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 234 • No: 17

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

  1. Effective date(s) 05/19/2026

    5/26/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 1017

    5/26/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/19/2026

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/7/2026House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/5/2026Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2026House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/30/2026House

  8. Passed Senate, Ayes 28, Nays 5

    4/23/2026Senate

  9. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA1065)

    4/23/2026Senate

  10. Motion to reconsider adopted. (Amendment 1 - SA1065)

    4/23/2026Senate

  11. Lift tableing motion

    4/23/2026Senate

  12. Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/23/2026

    4/22/2026Senate

  13. H. nonconcurred in S. am. no. 1

    4/22/2026House

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 6

    4/21/2026Senate

  15. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA1065)

    4/21/2026Senate

  16. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/21/2026Senate

  17. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/14/2026Senate

  18. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/13/2026House

  19. Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0

    4/13/2026House

  20. H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/13/2026

    4/9/2026House

  21. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026

    4/8/2026House

  22. Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/7/2026House

  23. Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/7/2026

    4/1/2026House

  24. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    4/1/2026House

  25. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/1/2026

    3/25/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA1065

    PDF

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