NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to redraw Tennessee's judicial districts for the first time since 1984 has passed the Senate.

The plan from Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville was approved 27-4 on Tuesday.

The measure would affect 22 counties in eight districts. The number of judicial districts have been reduced from 31 to 29.

The proposal would create separate judicial districts for Rutherford and Williamson counties because of population growth in the Nashville suburbs over the last three decades.

Two judicial districts in northeastern Tennessee made up of Lake, Dyer, Obion and Weakley county would be merged into a single district. Meanwhile, Coffee County would be folded into one with Cannon, Warren and Van Buren counties.

The plan included input from the public and stakeholder groups.