(a) There is established as a part of the judicial branch of the state a trial court vacancy commission, referred to in this part as “the commission,” that shall have jurisdiction over all trial court vacancies occurring on or after February 1, 2016. For purposes of making the initial appointments to the commission, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives are authorized to make appointments on January 28, 2016. The commission shall be composed of eleven (11) members as follows:
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 17-4-301
Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(1) Five (5) members shall be appointed by the speaker of the senate. At least three (3) of these members shall be attorneys;(2) Five (5) members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. At least three (3) of these members shall be attorneys; and(3) One (1) member shall be appointed by joint action of the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives. This member shall be an attorney and shall serve as chair of the commission.(b)(1) In order to stagger the terms of the newly appointed commission members, initial appointments shall be made as follows:
(A) One (1) of the initial appointments by the speaker of the senate shall be made for a term of two (2) years;(B) One (1) of the initial appointments by the speaker of the house of representatives shall be made for a term of two (2) years;(C) The speakers’ joint appointment shall be made for a term of two (2) years;(D) Two (2) of the initial appointments by the speaker of the senate shall be made for terms of four (4) years each;(E) Two (2) of the initial appointments by the speaker of the house of representatives shall be made for terms of four (4) years each;(F) Two (2) of the initial appointments by the speaker of the senate shall be made for terms of six (6) years each; and(G) Two (2) of the initial appointments by the speaker of the house of representatives shall be made for terms of six (6) years each.(2) After the initial appointments, the terms for all appointments shall comply with §§ 17-4-305 and 17-4-306.(c) The administrative office of the courts shall develop and post on its website downloadable information about the commission suitable for viewing by the general public.
