All Roll Calls
Yes: 221 • No: 0
GeorgiaHB 7222025-2026 Regular SessionHouse
Bryan County; State Court; provide for a chief judge and an associate judge
Sponsored By: Lehman Franklin (Republican), Jesse Petrea (Republican), Ron Stephens (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Full-time chief judge leads court operations
The law creates one full-time chief judge for Bryan County State Court. The judge in office on the law’s effective date finishes that term. Future chiefs are elected at the general election before a term ends, take office on January 1, and serve four-year terms. The chief judge runs court operations, including budgeting, scheduling, and court rules.
New part-time associate judge added
The law adds one part-time associate judge. That judge may not practice law in Bryan County State Court. The Governor appoints the first associate judge for Jan 1, 2026 through Dec 31, 2028. Voters then elect successors in 2028 for four-year terms starting Jan 1, 2029. Each elected associate judge takes office on January 1 after the election.
State standards for Bryan County judges
Each Bryan County State Court judge must meet Georgia’s qualifications and ethics rules. Judges are subject to discipline under Chapter 7 of Title 15 of Georgia law.
County sets judge pay and benefits
Bryan County’s governing authority sets judge pay by local law. Each judge receives all legally required benefits. The county may add extra salary. These costs are court expenses paid from the county treasury.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Lehman Franklin
Republican • House
Jesse Petrea
Republican • House
Ron Stephens
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/25/2025
LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR
Yes: 52 • No: 0
House vote • 3/13/2025
Local Calendar
Yes: 169 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
House Date Signed by Governor
5/1/2025HouseAct 60
5/1/2025Effective Date
5/1/2025House Sent to Governor
4/7/2025HouseSenate Committee Favorably Reported
3/25/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted
3/25/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
3/18/2025SenateHouse Committee Favorably Reported
3/13/2025HouseHouse Third Readers
3/13/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted
3/13/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
3/10/2025HouseHouse First Readers
3/6/2025HouseHouse Hopper
3/4/2025House
Bill Text
HB 722/AP* (v4)
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