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HB 1964

Courts - As introduced, effective September 1, 2030, divides counties into five, instead of seven, different classes by population for the purpose of determining the compensation of general sessions and juvenile judges; revises provisions setting minimum salary requirements for general sessions and juvenile judges; establishes a county litigation tax on each civil, criminal, juvenile, and traffic case initiated in a general sessions or juvenile court to defray general sessions and juvenile judges' salaries; makes other related revisions. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 15, Part 50.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Andrew Farmer

Tennessee bill reduces county classifications from seven to five, adjusts judge salaries, and creates case litigation tax to fund general sessions and juvenile court judges.

Action Def. in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee to 4/15/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 1964

Legislative bill overview

HB 1964 restructures how Tennessee classifies counties for judicial compensation purposes, reducing the classification system from seven to five categories based on population. It revises minimum salary requirements for general sessions and juvenile judges and establishes a new county litigation tax on civil, criminal, juvenile, and traffic cases to fund these judicial salaries.

Why is this important

Judicial compensation directly affects court quality, judge recruitment and retention, and ultimately access to justice. This bill attempts to address funding mechanisms for local courts while potentially altering the financial burden distribution between state and county governments, as well as between litigants through the new case tax.

Potential points of contention

  • Litigation tax burden: Adding fees to civil, criminal, juvenile, and traffic cases may increase costs for litigants, potentially creating barriers to accessing courts, particularly for low-income individuals and crime victims
  • County funding disparities: Reclassifying counties could create winners and losers in terms of salary requirements, potentially leaving some counties unable to afford judges or forcing property tax increases
  • Implementation timeline: The September 1, 2030 effective date provides limited transition time for counties to adjust budgets and staffing if the new classification significantly changes their obligations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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