HB2251Introduced in the House
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 17 and Title 40, relative to criminal magistrates.
Introduced by Rusty Grills, District 77
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
As enacted, creates a pilot project to provide for criminal magistrates in the 10 counties in which the criminal courts experience the highest judicial caseload, if authorized by the legislative body of an eligible county; authorizes the judges of the county with criminal jurisdiction to appoint the criminal magistrate, who shall serve at the pleasure of the majority of the judges of the county with criminal jurisdiction. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 17 and Title 40.
Where it stands
Effective date(s) 05/19/2026
May 26, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration · April 23, 2026
28
Yes
5
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
33 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Lowe | 1 | Yes |
| Tom Hatcher | 2 | Yes |
| Rusty Crowe | 3 | Yes |
| Robert Harshbarger | 4 | Yes |
| Randy McNally | 5 | Yes |
| Becky Massey | 6 | Yes |
| Richard Briggs | 7 | Yes |
| Jessie Seal | 8 | Yes |
| Steve Southerland | 9 | Yes |
| Todd Gardenhire | 10 | No |
Bill history
Filed for introduction
Intro., P1C.
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
Assigned to s/c Civil Justice Subcommittee
Placed on s/c cal Civil Justice Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/18/2026
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/1/2026
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/7/2026
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026
H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/13/2026
Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA1065)
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 6
H. nonconcurred in S. am. no. 1
Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/23/2026
Lift tableing motion
Motion to reconsider adopted. (Amendment 1 - SA1065)
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA1065)
Passed Senate, Ayes 28, Nays 5
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
Signed by H. Speaker
Signed by Senate Speaker
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
Signed by Governor.
Pub. Ch. 1017
Effective date(s) 05/19/2026
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