WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 2768

Judicial redistricting; revise provisions related to chancery courts, provide procedure for implementation.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brice Wiggins

SB 2768 adds a fifth First Circuit judge from 2031 with precinct-based residency/election rules, reshapes term scheduling and judge allocations across the district.

Approved by Governor
#judiciaryb #judiciary #divisiona
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2768

Summary — SB 2768 (Approved by Governor)

Status: Approved by Governor (Apr 23, 2025). Introduced Mar 14, 2025. Conference report adopted; enrolled bill signed Apr 7, 2025.

Note on title/content: The bill title refers to chancery court redistricting, but the adopted text as amended primarily amends provisions of the Mississippi Code (Title 9, Chapters concerning circuit courts), with substantive changes to the First Circuit Court District and to procedures governing circuit court terms, judge allocation, and related administration.

Main purpose

SB 2768 revises statutory provisions governing circuit court organization and administration — most notably for the First Circuit Court District — by (1) specifying residency/election requirements for numbered judgeships (Places), (2) phasing changes in the number of judges for the First Circuit (adding a fifth judgeship beginning Jan. 1, 2031), and (3) updating procedures for establishing court terms, posting/notice, and methods for determining judicial allocations.

Key provisions and changes

  • First Circuit composition confirmed: Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tishomingo counties (Section 9-7-5).
  • Phased judgeship changes for First Circuit (Section 9-7-7):
    • Until Jan 1, 2027: four (4) judges — Places One–Four — with specified residency constraints (Place One: Alcorn/Prentiss/Tishomingo; other Places with broader or any-county residency).
    • Jan 1, 2027 – Jan 1, 2031: continues four (4) judges but shifts residency requirements (Place Four required to be resident of Itawamba, Monroe or Pontotoc).
    • From Jan 1, 2031 onward: increases to five (5) judges (Places One–Five). Place assignments include:
    • Place One: must reside in Alcorn/Prentiss/Tishomingo;
    • Places Two & Three: may reside in any county in district;
    • Place Four: must reside in Itawamba/Monroe/Pontotoc;
    • Place Five: must reside and be elected from specified precincts in Lee County (list of named precincts, including several Tupelo precincts).
  • General circuit court administration (Section 9-7-3 amended/brought forward):
    • Annual scheduling: circuit judges must enter annual orders (by Oct 1 preceding year) establishing commencement and number of days for terms in multi-county districts; orders must be posted in circuit clerk offices and sent to Secretary of State for publication and Bar distribution. If no timely order, prior year’s schedule remains.
    • Criteria for determining number of judges per district: population, number of filings, judge caseload, geographic area, needs analysis by district court personnel, and other appropriate criteria.
    • The Judicial College (University of Mississippi Law Center) and the Administrative Office of Courts to set methods and specific data to collect and maintain for applying the allocation criteria.
    • Senior judge designation and assignment authority clarified (seniority rules; senior judge may assign causes/dockets and set terms). Circuit judge may assign criminal matters to county court under existing law (Section 9-9-21).
  • Residency requirement clarified: a circuit judge must be a resident of the district but not required to reside in a subdistrict (if district is divided).

Who is affected

  • First Circuit counties and voters — particularly voters in specified Lee County precincts (who will elect Place Five beginning 2031).
  • Sitting and future circuit judges in the First Circuit (changes in number and residency constraints).
  • Circuit clerks, county boards of supervisors, Secretary of State (notice/publication responsibilities).
  • Judicial College and Administrative Office of Courts (data collection/administrative responsibilities).
  • Mississippi Bar (receives published schedules).

Timeline / Implementation

  • Governor approval: Apr 23, 2025.
  • Phased effective dates specified in statute text:
    • Residency/election configuration effective through Jan 1, 2027 and then revised Jan 1, 2027–Jan 1, 2031.
    • Expansion to five judges and creation of Place Five effective on/after Jan 1, 2031.
  • Administrative deadlines: annual term orders must be entered by Oct 1 preceding the calendar year they govern.

Potential impacts

  • Increased judicial capacity in the First Circuit (one additional judgeship starting 2031), shifting local representation for judicial elections because of precinct-based residency/election restrictions.
  • Administrative workload for scheduling, posting, and data collection may increase; Judicial College/AOC will standardize data methods to guide future judge allocations.
  • Local electoral dynamics may change in Lee County precincts designated for the new judgeship.

For the precise statutory language, affected precinct list, and exact phased residency wording, consult the enrolled bill text (House Amendment No. 1 adopted) and the amended sections of Mississippi Code Title 9.

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

Sign in to ask a question.