First Circuit Court District; increase number of judges.

HB 469 increases the number of judges in Mississippi's First Circuit Court District from four to five, effective July 1, 2026. The bill adjusts residency requirements: Place One must be a resident of Alcorn, Prentiss, or Tishomingo County; Places Two and Three require residency in any county within the district; and Places Four and Five must be residents of Itawamba, Monroe, or Pontotoc County. This change directly affects the 7-county First Circuit Court District (Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, and Tishomingo), altering how judges are elected and assigned geographically. The bill modifies existing law without changing court procedures or jurisdiction.