MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Following three years of legislative work, Tennessee State Senator Mark Green and Representative Curtis Johnson see their sponsored legislation to add a Circuit Court Judgeship in the 19th Judicial District headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature into law.
“With population growth comes the need for essential services. Adding this position will have an immediate positive impact on the citizens of both Montgomery and Robertson Counties,” remarked Senator Green of Senate Bill 60. “Good government provides the constitutional services to its citizens.”
The 19th Judicial District is comprised of Montgomery and Robertson Counties and is currently served by three circuit court judges and one chancery court judge: Judge Ross Hicks, Judge Bill Goodman, Judge John Gasaway, and Chancellor Laurence McMillan, respectively. Each of the thirty-one judicial districts of Tennessee that serve all 95 counties has a circuit court and a chancery court with judges elected on an eight-year cycle.
According to 2010 US Census data, Montgomery County has grown by 27.9% and Robertson County expanded by 21.8% over a decade, ranking 5th and 10th, respectively, in Tennessee.
“Our judicial system has been straining to meet the needs of our residents,” observed House Speaker Pro Tempore Curtis Johnson. “We’re grateful our work with our colleagues in the General Assembly was effective.”
Senate Bill 60 and its companion bill, House Bill 55 will create an immediate judicial post that will be filled by appointment effective September 1, 2015 by Governor Bill Haslam. The non-partisan position will on the August 2016 ballot.