Tennessee Senate Bill SB1440

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/28/25
• Chaptered: 6/4/25
• Passed: 6/4/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Chapter 553 of the Acts of 1903; as amended by Chapter 311 of the Private Acts of 1974 and Chapter 233 of the Private Acts of 1978; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the city judge of the City of Tullahoma.

Summary

SB1440 is a local/private act affecting the City of Tullahoma’s city judge office. It amends the city’s charter provisions governing the election, term, compensation, and qualifications of the city judge. The bill extends the term of the current judge, whose term would otherwise expire in August 2025, by one year to August 2026. After that extension, the bill changes the office to an eight-year term beginning in 2026, with future elections for city judge held on the same cycle as Tullahoma’s biannual municipal elections in even-numbered years. It also confirms that the judge is elected at-large by municipal voters, must be a practicing attorney in good standing, and must have lived in the city for one year before the election. Compensation remains set by ordinance of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and the judge’s duties are tied to the city code and local ordinances.

Impact

The bill amends a private act governing Tullahoma’s municipal court structure, specifically Section 168 of Chapter 553 of the Acts of 1903 as previously amended. Its practical effect is to alter the timing and length of the city judge’s term, align elections with the city’s regular municipal election schedule, and preserve local control over compensation and duties. Because it is a private/local act, it has no statewide effect beyond the City of Tullahoma and becomes operative only if approved by a two-thirds vote of the city’s legislative body.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests broad support and little opposition: the floor vote to adopt passed 32-0. No committee transcripts are available, but the unanimous vote indicates the measure was generally viewed favorably and likely as a routine local government adjustment rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

There is no recorded substantive contention in the provided materials. The only potential points of interest are the one-year extension of the current judge’s term and the shift to an eight-year term beginning in 2026, which could affect future officeholders and election timing. However, the unanimous vote and lack of committee debate suggest these changes were not disputed in the legislative process. Final implementation also depends on approval by Tullahoma’s legislative body, so local officials retain the ability to accept or reject the act.