The state Senate Judiciary Committee is examining a new proposal that would rework the way judges are appointed in Tennessee. How the state picks its top judges has been at issue since last session, but the bill’s sponsor says the legislature must act soon.
The proposal would cut the commission that selects judges to nine members, down from 17. Of those nine, six would be lawyers, with three appointed by the speaker of the Senate and three by the House speaker. Three non-lawyers would round out the commission.
The proposal’s sponsor, Maryville Republican Doug Overbey, says the legislature has to act soon. The existing commission is set to phase out this summer.
“If we do nothing, then there is chaos. We have no method in place to fill vacancies in any of our judicial seats should they occur. The current folks in office would hold over; we would have no method for election.”
Overbey’s proposal also lets anyone interested apply to join the commission. The Judiciary Committee takes up the matter next week.
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