KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Tennessee

HB2665 • 2026

Haywood County

AN ACT to amend Chapter 350 of the Private Acts of 1945; as amended by Chapter 246 of the Private Acts of 1974; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the county attorney of Haywood County.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Shaw, Walley
Last action
2026-04-13
Official status
Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 4/15/2026
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide detailed information on all aspects of the bill, leaving some specifics unclear.

Haywood County Attorney Rules

This bill changes rules for Haywood County's attorney regarding licensing requirements, hiring preferences, and duties.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the county attorney to be licensed to practice law in Tennessee.
  • Gives preference to hiring an attorney who is a resident of Haywood County but does not require it.
  • Adds an oath that the county attorney must take before starting their job.
  • Makes the county attorney responsible for advising and representing county officials on legal matters.
  • Allows the county commission to hire other lawyers when needed.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Haywood County
  • County Attorney of Haywood County

Terms To Know

Private Acts
Special laws that apply only to a specific county or area, not the whole state.
Oath of Office
A promise made by someone who is starting an official job, promising to do their best and follow the law.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill needs approval from two-thirds of Haywood County's legislative body before it can take effect.
  • It does not specify what happens if the county commission hires other lawyers besides the county attorney.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 4/15/2026

  2. 2026-04-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government Committee

  3. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Private Acts Committee for 4/13/2026

  4. 2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Private Acts Committee - State & Local Government Committee

  5. 2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, held on desk. Local Bill

  6. 2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  7. 2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  8. 2026-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  9. 2026-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 2728
By Walley

HOUSE BILL 2665
By Shaw
HB2665
016889
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Chapter 350 of the Private Acts of 1945; as
amended by Chapter 246 of the Private Acts of 1974;
and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the
county attorney of Haywood County.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Chapter 350 of the Private Acts of 1945, and any acts amendatory thereto,
is amended by deleting Sections 2 and 3 and substituting:
SECTION 2. The County Attorney shall be licensed to practice law in the State
of Tennessee.
Preference must be given to an attorney who is a resident citizen of Haywood
County; however, residency within the county shall not be required.
Before assuming office, the County Attorney shall take and subscribe the
following oath, which shall be filed with the County Clerk: "I, _________, do solemnly
swear that I will support the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of
Tennessee, and that I will perform the duties of said office according to the law and to
the best of my skill and ability."
SECTION 3. The County Attorney shall serve as legal counsel to Haywood
County government and shall advise and represent members of the County
Commission, the County Mayor, and other county officials, including elected, appointed,
or confirmed officials and chairs of boards and commissions serving the county
government on legal matters relating to the performance of their official duties. The
County Attorney shall prepare and render written legal opinions to county officials. The
County Attorney shall give legal advice to the County Mayor and to the County
Commission regarding the issuance and sale of county bonds and shall prepare and
execute all necessary legal papers pertaining thereto when requested by the County

- 2 - 016889

Mayor or the County Commission. In the event of conflicting requests among county
officials, the County Attorney shall act in the best interest of Haywood County.
SECTION 2. Chapter 350 of the Private Acts of 1945, as amended by Chapter 246 of
the Private Acts of 1974, and any acts amendatory thereto, is amended by adding the following
new section:
SECTION 9. The County Commission may employ legal counsel other than, or
in addition to, the County Attorney when such additional or specialized counsel is
deemed necessary or appropriate.
SECTION 3. Chapter 350 of the Private Acts of 1945, as amended by Chapter 246 of
the Private Acts of 1974, and any acts amendatory thereto, is amended by deleting "Quarterly
County Court" wherever it appears and substituting "County Commission" and by deleting
"County Judge" wherever it appears and substituting "County Mayor".
SECTION 4. This act shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the legislative body of Haywood County. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by
the presiding officer of the legislative body and certified to the Secretary of State.
SECTION 5. For the purpose of approving or rejecting the provisions of this act, this act
shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, it
shall take effect as provided in Section 4.