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SB 846

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - As introduced, requires the annual written report submitted to the committee of the house of representatives with jurisdiction over criminal justice matters and the judiciary committee of the senate regarding activities of narcotics investigations by the bureau and the assistant director of the narcotics investigation division be submitted by February 15 of each year. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 10; Title 16; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 55.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Brent Taylor

Creates two new violent-criminal courts in the thirtieth district, adds judges and staff, and transfers violent cases to speed processing and reduce backlogs.

Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 1 PNV 1
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Bill Summary · SB 846

Summary of SB 846 (Session 114) – Tennessee

Note: The bill text presented combines an amendment to SB 846 with separate legislative content known as the “Violent Criminal Court Act.” The fiscal notes and action history reflect the amended version that adds criminal courts in the 30th judicial district and related personnel. The following summary focuses on the substantive provisions as amended and their practical impact.

1. Main purpose and intent

  • To address increasing violent crime in the thirtieth judicial district by creating two additional criminal courts designated as violent criminal courts.
  • To improve efficiency in the criminal justice system by increasing trial capacity and addressing case backlogs, particularly for violent offenses.
  • To expand the staffing in the thirtieth district with additional judicial and investigative capacity.

2. Key provisions and changes

Creation of violent criminal courts

  • Effective September 1, 2026, the thirtieth judicial district will have two additional criminal courts, designated as violent criminal courts.
  • The Governor would appoint two judges to serve as these new violent-criminal-court judges. Their initial terms would run until September 1, 2028.

Elections and term of judges

  • In the August 2028 general election, voters in the thirtieth district will elect one judge to serve each violent criminal court, with terms commencing September 1, 2028 and ending September 1, 2030.
  • Beginning with the August 2030 election (and every eight years thereafter), voters will elect judges for the standard eight-year terms.

Case management and caseload

  • The presiding judge of the district courts is directed to address caseload backlogs by transferring cases involving specific criminal offenses to the violent criminal courts for disposition (references to § 40-35-501(aa), (bb), and (cc)).

Additional personnel in the thirtieth district

  • Effective September 1, 2026, the district attorney general of the thirtieth district is entitled to:
    • Four additional assistant district attorney general positions.
    • Two additional criminal investigator positions.
  • These new positions are in addition to those already provided by law for the district.

3. Who or what is affected

  • Geographic/judicial: Thirtieth Judicial District (the high-crime area within Tennessee).
  • Judicial officers: Two new violent-criminal-court judges (initially appointed by the Governor; later elected in 2028 for limited terms, then for full eight-year terms thereafter).
  • Prosecutorial and investigative staff: Four additional assistant district attorneys general and two criminal investigators in the thirtieth district.
  • Caseload and case disposition: Authority to transfer certain violent crime cases to the new violent-criminal courts to alleviate backlogs and improve processing times.

4. Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date for new court creation and staffing: September 1, 2026.
  • Initial terms for appointed violent-criminal-court judges: September 1, 2028.
  • Election schedule:
    • August 2028: Elect judges for the two new violent criminal courts (two seats). Terms to September 1, 2030.
    • August 2030 and every eight years thereafter: Elect judges for full eight-year terms in the violent criminal courts.
  • Ongoing caseload management: presiding judge directed to transfer specific violent offenses to the new courts for disposition.

5. Fiscal impact (summary)

  • The amended bill envisions state-general-fund expenditures to cover:
    • Salaries, benefits, travel, supplies, and operations for two new criminal court judges and two legal secretaries.
    • Four additional assistant district attorneys general and two criminal investigators.
  • Estimated fiscal impact (per the March 2026 analysis):
    • FY26-27: Approximately $738,800 (state expenditures) for the new court positions, with a total of 10 new positions across the package when fully phased.
    • FY27-28 and subsequent years: Approximately $811,200 (state expenditures) for ongoing operations.
  • Local government impact: Not significant, as district judge elections occur during general elections.

6. Summary of intent

SB 846, as amended, aims to:
- Alleviate rising violent-crime pressures in the thirtieth judicial district by expanding judicial capacity and prosecutorial resources.
- Improve efficiency and speed of case processing through specialized violent-criminal courts.
- Provide a staged approach with initial appointments, followed by elections and full-term judges, alongside corresponding staff growth.

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

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