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SB 2703

Hamblen County - Subject to local approval, updates appointment provisions, qualifications, and compensation for the office of county attorney. - Amends Chapter 677 of the Private Acts of 1949; as amended.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Southerland

Hamblen County establishes an elected County Attorney office with a $1,200 annual retainer, requires two-thirds local approval to take effect, and outlines compensation and oversig

Companion House Bill substituted
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Bill Summary · SB 2703

Summary of SB 2703 (Session 114) — Hamblen County County Attorney Appointment and Compensation

Purpose and Intent

  • This act amends Chapter 677 of the Private Acts of 1949 (as amended) to establish and modify the office of County Attorney for Hamblen County.
  • The bill specifies appointment timing, compensation, and the framework for services provided by the County Attorney, with local approval required to enact the changes.

Key Provisions and Changes

Creation and Appointment

  • The act creates the Office of County Attorney for Hamblen County.
  • The County Attorney shall be elected annually by the Hamblen County Commission at its September meeting designated for that purpose.

Section 2

  • This section is deleted and replaced with a new provision statement; the deleted section is identified as Section 2 in the existing act, but the specific replacement text is not provided in the summary. (In practice, this indicates a reordering or removal of prior provisions related to the office.)

Compensation and Expenses (Section 3)

  • The County Attorney will receive an annual retainer fee of $1,200.
  • The retainer is paid in equal monthly installments from the county’s general funds, via warrant issued by the County Judge or Chairman upon the trustee.
  • For legal services beyond the retainer, the County Attorney is entitled to additional reasonable compensation and reimbursement for actual expenses incurred.
  • All compensation and reimbursements are subject to review by the County Legislative Body (the county commission) through the Consent Calendar.
  • Expenses must be itemized and certified by the County Attorney and will be paid in the same manner as the retainer and other fees, following standard county financial policies.

Local Approval Requirement (Section 4)

  • The act requires approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Hamblen County legislative body to become effective.
  • The presiding officer must proclaim approval or nonapproval and certify to the Secretary of State.

Effective Date and Conditions (Section 5)

  • The act becomes effective upon becoming law for purposes of approving or rejecting the provisions (i.e., upon local approval).
  • For all other purposes, it becomes effective as provided in Section 4 (i.e., upon local approval, with the two-thirds threshold determining effectiveness).

Affected Parties

  • Hamblen County residents and taxpayers (via county government operations and funding).
  • Hamblen County Commission (responsible for annual appointment and oversight of the County Attorney, and for approving compensation and expenses).
  • County Attorney position in Hamblen County (established as an elected, compensated office).

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Appointment: Annual election by the County Commission at the September meeting.
  • Compensation Review: Subject to review by the County Legislative Body through the Consent Calendar.
  • Local Approval: Requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Hamblen County legislative body; the act itself becomes effective only upon such local approval.
  • Effective Date: Tied to local approval; once approved, the provisions take effect as specified.

Sponsor and Status

  • Primary sponsor: Eldridge
  • Co-sponsor: Steve Southerland
  • Status: As of the latest action, companion House Bill substituted and placed on Senate Local Calendar; previously passed on second consideration and introduced/passed on first consideration in earlier sessions, with activity in 2026.

If you’d like, I can add a short appendix comparing this proposal to the county’s prior structure or provide a plain-language explainer for residents.

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

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