(a)

(1) Beginning January 1, 2029, the following cities and counties that are currently served by local district courts pursuant to § 16-17-901 et seq. shall be reorganized as state district courts and served by state district court judges as assigned.

(2) The new state district court judgeships created by this section shall become effective January 1, 2029, and shall be placed on the ballot to be elected in the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election from the newly constructed state district court district.

(3) The cities and counties that were previously served by local district courts and will be served by state district courts shall comply with the cost-sharing requirements established in § 16-17-1106, effective January 1, 2029.

(b)

(1) The Thirty-Sixth Judicial District shall be composed of the counties of Little River, Sevier, and Howard.

(2) The Thirty-Sixth Judicial District shall have five (5) departments as follows:

(A) One (1) located in Ashdown;

(B) One (1) located in Foreman;

(C) One (1) located in Winthrop;

(D) One (1) located in De Queen; and

(E) One (1) located in Nashville.

(3) The Thirty-Sixth Judicial District shall be served by one (1) state district court judge.

(4) The Thirty-Sixth Judicial District judge shall be elected districtwide.

(5) The Thirty-Sixth Judicial District court shall have districtwide jurisdiction.

(c)

(1) The Fortieth District shall be composed of the counties of Clark and Pike.

(2) The Fortieth District shall have six (6) departments as follows:

(A) One (1) located in Arkadelphia;

(B) One (1) located in Amity;

(C) One (1) located in Caddo Valley;

(D) One (1) located in Gurdon;

(E) One (1) located in Murfreesboro; and

(F) One (1) located in Glenwood.

(3) The Fortieth District shall be served by one (1) state district court judge.

(4) The Fortieth District judge shall be elected districtwide.

(5) The Fortieth District court shall have districtwide jurisdiction.