SB 166 - HB 181
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
April 2, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Arielle Woodmore | Email: arielle.woodmore@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
SB 166 - HB 181
SUMMARY OF BILL: Effective September 1, 2025, creates one additional circuit court in
the 28th judicial district. Requires the Governor to appoint a person to serve as an additional judge,
until September 1, 2026. Requires the qualified voters of the 28th judicial district to elect a judge for
the created court in the August 2026 general election to serve until September 1, 2030. At the
August 2030 general election, and every eight years thereafter, requires the qualified voters of the
28th judicial district to elect a judge for the created court for the full eight-year term.
FISCAL IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT
EXPENDITURES General Fund
FY25-26 $359,500
FY26-27 & Subsequent Years $394,900
Total Positions Required: 2
Assumptions:
• The proposed legislation creates a position effective September 1, 2025, which is
approximately 83.33 percent of FY25-26. As such, this analysis estimates 83.33 percent of
the fiscal year impact will occur in FY25-26, and 100 percent will occur in FY26-27 and
subsequent years.
• The proposed legislation creates one circuit court judge position.
• The salary and benefits for each judge position are estimated to be $270,237 ($219,200
salary + $51,037 benefits).
• Additionally, a judge position will require recurring funding for supplies, legal subscriptions,
rent, travel, etc. estimated to be $41,900.
• The total recurring increase in state expenditures associated with the new judge position is
estimated to be $312,137 ($270,237 + $41,900).
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. 16-2-505(c), upon the election of a judicial district judge, a
secretary position is created for that judge. This analysis assumes the secretary will be hired
upon the appointment of the judge by the Governor.
• The salary and benefits for the secretary position is estimated to be $79,964 ($61,700 +
$18,264 benefits).
• Additionally, such position will require recurring funding for travel estimated to be $2,800.
• The total recurring increase in state expenditures associated with the new secretary position
is estimated to be $82,764 ($79,964 + $2,800).
SB 166 - HB 181 2
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-2-508(b), the District Attorney General (DAG) of each
judicial district, except in the judicial districts comprised of the urban counties of Shelby,
Davidson, Knox, Hamilton, and Sullivan, is entitled at least one Assistant District Attorney
General (ADAG) position for each trial court judge in the judicial district to which the
DAG is assigned, as well as either one additional ADAG if the judicial district is comprised
of four or more counties, or two additional ADAGs if the judicial district is comprised of
more than six counties.
• If an additional circuit court judge is added to a judicial district, and that district does not
already have sufficient ADAG positions to satisfy the formula set out here, an additional
ADAG position shall be created for that district upon the effective date of the creation of
the new judicial position.
• The 28th judicial district is comprised of three counties (Haywood, Gibson, and Crockett)
and currently has eight ADAGs for three trial court judges, therefore satisfying the statutory
formula. As a result, the proposed legislation will not necessitate any additional ADAG
positions to be added to the district.
• The one-time increase in state expenditures in FY25-26 associated with the new positions is
$30,400 [($9,800 furniture and office set up + $5,400 for computer and online software) x 2
positions].
• The total increase in state expenditures in FY25-26 resulting from the proposed legislation
is estimated to be $359,471 {[($312,137 + $82,764) x 83.33%)] + $30,400}.
• The total increase in state expenditures in FY26-27 and subsequent fiscal years resulting
from the proposed legislation is estimated to $394,901 ($312,137 + $82,764).
• District judge elections will be held during regularly-scheduled general elections; therefore,
any fiscal impact to local government is estimated to be not significant.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director