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GeorgiaHB 7982025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Spalding County; State Court; modernize, update, and readopt provisions

Sponsored By: Beth Camp (Republican), Karen Mathiak (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Jury pay and selection match Superior Court

Starting January 1, 2026, State Court jurors get the same daily pay as Superior Court jurors. Spalding County pays jurors the same way it pays Superior Court jurors. Jury size, selection, and peremptory strikes follow Georgia’s state rules.

Court must request county staff and funds

The chief judge and the solicitor‑general must ask the Spalding County Board of Commissioners for needed staff and reasonable court expenses. This creates a clear path to request county funding for court operations.

Key dates and old laws repealed

The Governor’s approval makes the initial associate judge appointment effective right away. All other parts take effect January 1, 2026. Older local court acts and any conflicting laws are repealed so the new rules control.

State Court follows state procedures

Beginning January 1, 2026, the State Court of Spalding County uses the same rules as Georgia’s state courts. The court sits at the county site in county‑provided facilities. It keeps the same term schedule as the Superior Court. Criminal cases start by accusation, traffic citation, or summons. Appeals go to the Court of Appeals or the Georgia Supreme Court like Superior Court cases. The State Court can review lower court decisions when state law allows.

Temporary judges and court reporters allowed

Judges may appoint a temporary pro hac vice judge when needed. The temporary judge must meet the same qualifications as a State Court judge. Judges may appoint an official stenographer. Stenographer fees match those in Superior Court and are billed and enforced the same way.

New court technology fee and surcharges

Beginning January 1, 2026, the clerk can charge the same fees as the Superior Court clerk for similar services. The chief judge may add up to $5 per civil filing and up to $5 on each fine for technology. These amounts go to a separate State Court Technology Fund for court tech only. All court fees and penalties are county funds and must be turned in with an itemized report by the 10th of each month.

Clerk hours, appointment, and pay

Starting January 1, 2026, the State Court clerk’s office keeps the same business hours as the Superior Court clerk. The chief judge appoints the State Court clerk, who serves at the judge’s pleasure. The clerk’s pay equals 80% of the chief judge’s annual salary. If the Superior Court clerk serves ex officio as State Court clerk, there is no extra pay unless law requires it.

County funds specialty courts and judge supplement

Spalding County must keep funding and operating the Sentence Enforcement Department and the State Court Accountability Court. The chief judge appoints each program’s director, who serves at the judge’s pleasure. If the chief judge runs a drug, mental health, veterans, or DUI court division, the judge gets at least $6,300 more per year starting January 1, 2026.

Solicitor-General elected and paid 90%

The Solicitor‑General’s office continues with the current officeholder through December 31, 2026. After that, voters choose the solicitor‑general in partisan elections for four‑year terms starting January 1. From January 1, 2026, the solicitor‑general must meet state qualifications, work full time, and is paid 90% of the State Court chief judge’s total salary, paid by the county.

Two state court judges and set pay

The court keeps one judge until January 1, 2026. The current judge serves through December 31, 2028; that office is Judicial Post 1 and is elected in 2028 for terms starting 2029. A second judge (Post 2) starts January 1, 2026; the Governor appoints the first associate judge through December 31, 2028, then voters elect the post in 2028. Judges must work full time, have state court powers, and the longest‑serving judge is the chief judge. Starting January 1, 2026, the chief judge is paid 90% of the Superior Court chief judge’s total salary, and the associate judge is paid the same as the chief judge. No extra annual supplements are allowed beyond what this law permits. When judges disagree on administration, the chief judge’s view controls.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Beth Camp

    Republican • House

  • Karen Mathiak

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/27/2025

Local Calendar

Yes: 164 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  2. Act 233

    5/13/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/13/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/31/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/31/2025Senate

  7. Senate Read and Referred

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/27/2025House

  9. House Third Readers

    3/27/2025House

  10. House Passed/Adopted

    3/27/2025House

  11. House Second Readers

    3/21/2025House

  12. House First Readers

    3/20/2025House

  13. House Hopper

    3/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 798/AP* (v4)

    PDF

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