TN HB2494

Establishes new judicial salary structure effective September 1, 2030, setting the chief justice's salary equal to a class 1 official, with associate justices earning $5,000 less, appellate chief judges $7,500 less than associate justices, appellate judges $10,000 less, and trial court judges $10,000 less than appellate judges

Reduces county classifications for general sessions and juvenile judge compensation from seven classes to five classes based on population thresholds ranging from 15,000 to 49,000 residents, using the 2020 federal census

Sets general sessions and juvenile judge salaries as percentages of circuit court judge salary based on county class, ranging from equal pay in Class 1 counties to 35-40% less in Class 5 counties, with judges exercising concurrent jurisdiction receiving slightly higher compensation

Allows counties to designate part-time general sessions judges as full-time through a two-thirds vote of the county legislative body, and permits ten specific counties (including Shelby, Davidson, Hamilton, and Knox) to continue setting judicial salaries by private act

Imposes new county privilege taxes of $1-$5 per case filed in general sessions and juvenile courts based on county class, with revenue dedicated exclusively to funding judge compensation