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GeorgiaHB 12152025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Middle Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for a third judge

Sponsored By: Leesa Hagan (Republican), Mack Jackson (Democrat), Butch Parrish (Republican), Brian Prince (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

JudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Five Georgia circuits get court support

Beginning January 1, 2027, Atlanta, Clayton, Middle, Northeastern, and Gwinnett circuit judges can appoint one extra court reporter per circuit. Reporter pay follows existing law; no amount is stated. When a judge requests necessary courtrooms, offices, phones, furniture, equipment, supplies, or staff, county authorities may provide them. This support is authorized, not required, and costs are paid from county funds. Once the added judges qualify, circuit judges can set court rules, share cases, rotate duties, and schedule simultaneous proceedings. Any circuit judge can hear cases in any county within the circuit and draw jurors for individual or concurrent proceedings. Official court papers can name any circuit judge and remain valid under the usual legal return dates. Majority votes govern internal decisions; without a majority, the chief judge decides. Gwinnett judges can also serve on appeals courts as allowed by law. The act preserves judges' existing inherent powers and local laws unless expressly changed, and repeals conflicting laws.

Five Georgia circuits get more judges

Beginning January 1, 2027, the law adds one superior court judge in each of five Georgia circuits. The new totals are Atlanta: 21; Clayton: 6; Middle: 3; Northeastern: 6; and Gwinnett: 12. The governor appoints the first judges; appointments in Atlanta, Clayton, and Middle depend on approved funding. Appointment authority begins when the law takes effect. Initial terms run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028, and until successors are elected and qualified. Nonpartisan elections in 2028 fill four-year terms starting January 1, 2029; elections repeat every four years. Added judges have the same qualifications, authority, pay, and expense allowances as existing circuit judges, including county pay supplements. State and county governments cover that compensation under existing rules; the law gives no dollar amounts. Circuit judges elect their chief judge for a two-year term, with reelection allowed. After three ballots without a majority, the most senior judge becomes chief. Current chief judges finish their terms, and chief judges make judicial appointments where the law allows, subject to the act's limits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Leesa Hagan

    Republican • House

  • Mack Jackson

    Democrat • House

  • Butch Parrish

    Republican • House

  • Brian Prince

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • Brian Strickland

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 413 • No: 23

House vote • 4/2/2026

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 172 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 47 • No: 3 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT BY THE SEN FROM THE 39TH AS AMENDED

Yes: 28 • No: 20 • Other: 3

House vote • 2/9/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 166 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026House

  2. Act 450

    5/11/2026

  3. Effective Date

    5/11/2026

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    4/2/2026House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/31/2026Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/31/2026Senate

  8. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/25/2026Senate

  9. Senate Read Second Time

    3/25/2026Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    2/10/2026Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    2/9/2026House

  12. House Passed/Adopted

    2/9/2026House

  13. House Second Readers

    2/6/2026House

  14. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/6/2026House

  15. House Hopper

    2/5/2026House

  16. House First Readers

    2/5/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB 1215/AP* (v9)

    PDF

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