SB 2329 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Judges and Chancellors - As introduced, increases base salaries for trial and appellate level judges and supreme court justices effective September 1, 2030; revises compensation and other requirements for general sessions judges on or after September 1, 2030. - Amends TCA Section 8-23-103; Title 16 and Title 67.

SB 2329 increases base salaries for Tennessee judges and justices effective September 1, 2030. It sets new salary tiers: supreme court chief justices earn the most, with associate justices $5,000 less, appellate chief judges $7,500 less than associate justices, and all other judges receiving progressively lower amounts. The bill also revises how general sessions judges' pay is calculated by replacing the old 7 county classes with a new 5-class system based on population (e.g., Class 1 counties have >49,000 residents), with salaries now tied to circuit court judge pay. These changes apply to all trial, appellate, and supreme court judges, and affect how counties determine compensation for general sessions and juvenile judges.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Apr 20, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Apr 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/24/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Todd Gardenhire
Todd Gardenhire
RRepublican
TN
10