Tennessee Judiciary Committee gives positive recommendations to two appellate nominees

The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday gave positive recommendations to two appellate nominees sent by the governor: Chancellor Steve Maroney for the Tennessee Court of Appeals (Western section) and Judge Kyle Hixson for the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Chancellor Steve Maroney, who currently serves as chancellor for the 26th Judicial District, told the committee that his immediate concern if confirmed would be staffing. "I think the biggest immediate challenge I'm going to have is staffing," Maroney said, explaining that law clerk hiring cycles make midterm replacements difficult. He said his focus would be to learn existing procedures and work cooperatively with other judges.

Judge Kyle Hixson, who currently sits on the Court of Criminal Appeals in the East, described himself as a career prosecutor who expects "lifelong learning and growth" in moving to the Supreme Court. Hixson cited a writing sample included with his application—an effort to subpoena Dateline NBC in a homicide-related matter—as evidence of his ability to tackle civil-law issues that arise outside his criminal-law background.

Committee members questioned both nominees on topics including conflicts of interest, judicial philosophy and how they balance fairness with legal constraints. Hixson discussed the role of judicial review and cited Marbury v. Madison as foundational to the judiciary’s authority; Maroney said he aims to produce opinions that are "readable and understandable" for attorneys and litigants alike.

Representative Todd moved to recommend Maroney to the Court of Appeals; the motion was seconded and the clerk recorded 16 ayes and 4 nos. Vice Chair Elaine Davis moved to recommend Hixson to the Tennessee Supreme Court; that motion passed with a recorded tally of 17 ayes and 3 nos. Both recommendations will be transmitted to the full General Assembly for consideration.

The committee’s questioning included reminders from the governor’s office that nominees are restricted by the judicial ethics code from answering certain policy questions, a point Ms. Merrick told the panel before questioning began. Neither confirmation in committee is final; the General Assembly and, where applicable, the electorate will act in the next stages of the appointments process.

Next steps: both nominees were favorably reported to the full legislative body for final consideration.