Tennessee § 16-1-119 - Advisory task force to review composition of judicial districts.

§ 16-1-119. Advisory task force to review composition of judicial districts.

By no later than September 1, 2018, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall establish an advisory task force to review the composition of Tennessee's current judicial districts codified at § 16-2-506. The task force shall be composed of eleven (11) members, as follows: Three (3) current trial court judges, one (1) representing each grand division, appointed by joint action of the speaker of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives; Three (3) current district attorneys general, one (1) representing each grand division, appointed by joint action of the speaker of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives; Three (3) current district public defenders, one (1) representing each grand division, appointed by the joint action of the speaker of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives; and Two (2) citizen members, one (1) appointed by each speaker. The citizen members must reside in different grand divisions. The speakers shall jointly designate one (1) of the members to serve as chair of the task force. By no later than December 1, 2019, the task force shall complete its findings and recommend and publish a proposed statewide judicial redistricting plan. The plan shall provide reasonable and timely access to Tennessee's circuit, chancery, and criminal courts and shall promote the efficient utilization of publicly funded resources allocated for the courts. Prior to completing its findings and recommending this plan, the task force shall conduct at least one (1) public hearing within each of the three (3) grand divisions and shall receive oral and written testimony from interested organizations and citizens of this state. In addition, the task force shall establish a publicly accessible judicial redistricting task force page on the website of the administrative office of the courts for redistricting-related information, including meeting notices and redistricting plans. The task force shall deliver a report of its findings, as well as its proposed judicial redistricting plan, to the governor, the speakers of the senate and house of representatives, the judiciary committee of the senate, the judiciary committee of the house of representatives, and the administrative office of the courts at least one (1) week prior to publication of the proposed judicial redistricting plan. The administrative office of the courts shall provide support services to the task force created under this section. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement of any travel expenses incurred. All reimbursement for travel expenses shall be in conformity with the comprehensive state travel regulations as promulgated by the commissioner of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter. The task force shall cease to exist upon completion of the task force's report and recommendations. Acts 2018, ch. 974, § 4; 2019, ch. 345, § 20. Amendments. The 2019 amendment substituted “judiciary” for “civil justice” following “senate, the” in (a)(3). Effective Dates. Acts 2018, ch. 974, § 5. May 21, 2018. Acts 2019, ch. 345, § 148. May 10, 2019. Cross-References. Grand divisions, title 4, ch. 1, part 2.