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GeorgiaHB 15042025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Dekalb County; State Court; authorize the charge and collection of technology fees

Sponsored By: Omari Crawford (Democrat), Karla Drenner (Democrat), Karen Lupton (Democrat), Billy Mitchell (Democrat), Shea Roberts (Democrat), Long Tran (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Benefits and pension supplements for DeKalb officials

Covered judges include State Court judges, the chief magistrate, associate magistrates, the Probate Court judge, and each Juvenile Court judge. They receive pay under DeKalb County’s 1976 compensation law, plus county employee benefits and extra compensation. Benefits include health, dental, life, and vision insurance, flexible benefits, retirement, and longevity pay. Each covered elected judge or judicial officer also receives a monthly county payment matching their employee pension contributions. That match covers state or county pension plans before taxes and withholdings, which reduce take-home payment. The court administrator, clerk, marshal, and chief probation officer receive county employee benefits and extra compensation too. Their package also includes cost-of-living adjustments, incentives, annual leave, and sick leave.

DeKalb court administrator gets protected pay

The State Court administrator earns 90% of the DeKalb Superior Court administrator’s annual salary, excluding the latter’s longevity pay. The salary cannot be reduced while the person serves. Appointment or removal requires a vote of at least eight State Court judges and the chief magistrate. For a vacancy, the chief judge, Division B presiding judge, and chief magistrate must unanimously nominate a candidate. That nominee needs the same appointment approval. The administrator serving when the law takes effect can stay unless they resign or are removed through this process. The administrator can appoint and remove court administration staff and manages operations under the judges’ direction. Those duties cover budgets, finances, purchasing, human resources, payroll, facilities and projects, technology, interpreters, accountability court programs, and government relations. The chief magistrate or at least eight State Court judges can choose a separate administrator for their respective court. Either choice ends the chief magistrate’s participation and counting in the shared appointment, removal, and nomination process. Unless another rule applies, salary is paid from county funds in equal installments every two weeks.

Pay rules for DeKalb court officers

The DeKalb State Court clerk earns 90% of the court administrator’s annual salary, excluding the administrator’s longevity pay. The clerk’s salary cannot be reduced while the person serves. State Court judges set annual salaries for the marshal and chief probation officer, subject to county funding and approval. The law sets no dollar amounts for those two jobs and does not guarantee raises. Unless another rule applies, salaries are paid from county funds in equal installments every two weeks.

New technology fees for DeKalb civil filings

DeKalb County’s State Court and Magistrate Court can charge up to $50 for each civil action filed. A majority vote of State Court judges sets that court’s fee; the chief magistrate sets the Magistrate Court fee. Each court must keep its fee money in a separate account and use it only for court technology. Allowed uses include buying, leasing, installing, and maintaining computers, software, scanning, fax, communications, projection, and printing equipment. The money also supports services and equipment to preserve court records and create digital archives for public access.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Omari Crawford

    Democrat • House

  • Karla Drenner

    Democrat • House

  • Karen Lupton

    Democrat • House

  • Billy Mitchell

    Democrat • House

  • Shea Roberts

    Democrat • House

  • Long Tran

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 205 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/20/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 7

House vote • 3/18/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 161 • No: 2 • Other: 11

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026House

  2. Act 666

    5/12/2026

  3. Effective Date

    5/12/2026

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2026House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    3/31/2026House

  6. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/20/2026Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/20/2026Senate

  8. Senate Read and Referred

    3/19/2026Senate

  9. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/18/2026House

  10. House Third Readers

    3/18/2026House

  11. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/18/2026House

  12. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/10/2026House

  13. House Withdrawn, Recommitted

    3/10/2026House

  14. House Second Readers

    3/6/2026House

  15. House First Readers

    3/4/2026House

  16. House Hopper

    3/3/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB 1504/AP* (v9)

    PDF

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