Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-14-315

Whenever the administrative director and the judge or judges in a particular area determine that accurate verbatim transcripts could be more economically, expeditiously and efficiently provided in the particular area by entering into contracts for that purpose rather than by utilizing the designation of court reporters as provided in this part, then, in those instances, the administrative director is authorized to enter into those contracts for and on behalf of the state of Tennessee on the terms and conditions as the administrative director deems appropriate for the accomplishment of the purposes of this part.