GeorgiaHB 852025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Superior Court Judicial Compensation Reform Act; enact

Sponsored By: James Burchett (Republican), Chuck Efstration (Republican), Stan Gunter (Republican), Soo Hong (Republican), Rob Leverett (Republican), Matt Reeves (Republican)

Signed by Governor

JudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Optional local pay with caps for judges

Beginning July 1, 2025, counties can offer locality pay to judges taking office afterward and incumbents who elect the new plan. Each participating county must pay eligible judges equally; newly created judgeships receive the same locality pay as existing judges. Each judge’s yearly total across circuit counties cannot exceed the smaller of 10% of state pay or $20,106. Above $201,060 in state pay, the cap becomes $20,106 minus half the amount above $201,060. Counties can also choose to base retirement benefits on locality pay, but only where other law allows.

Current judges protected against transition pay cuts

Judges in office on July 1, 2025, can choose the new pay plan; otherwise, their old pay remains through their term. The choice is permanent and must be filed in writing with the Council of Superior Court Judges and each circuit county’s governing authority. It starts with the next pay period beginning five business days after the choice. If new state pay plus locality pay is below prior salary plus local supplements when the choice is made, counties must cover the difference. Counties split that cost in proportion to their prior local supplement contributions.

County salary supplements restricted for judges

Beginning July 1, 2025, counties generally cannot provide separate salary supplements to superior court judges. Existing chief judge supplements authorized by law on June 30, 2025, can continue, but cannot be increased. Counties cannot create new chief judge supplements on or after July 1, 2025. Incumbent pay protections and required transition payments remain exceptions to the ban. The law also repeals an accountability court supplement rule, but the supplied provision does not explain its effect on pay.

State pay capped for superior court judges

Beginning July 1, 2025, the General Assembly sets superior court judges’ annual state pay through the state budget. State pay cannot exceed 90% of the federal judicial salary benchmark. That benchmark is the Northern District of Georgia federal district judge salary on July 1 of the second preceding state fiscal year. The Council of Superior Court Judges pays state salaries in 12 equal monthly payments. This law does not set a specific salary amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Bo Hatchett
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 232 • No: 42

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 51 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #1 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 26TH

Yes: 18 • No: 33 • Other: 2

House vote • 2/20/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 163 • No: 7 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2025
House Date Signed by Governor
5/12/2025House
Act 112
5/12/2025
House Sent to Governor
4/9/2025House
Senate Third Read
3/28/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
3/28/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/21/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
3/20/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/21/2025Senate
House Third Readers
2/20/2025House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
2/20/2025House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/12/2025House
House Second Readers
1/27/2025House
House First Readers
1/17/2025House
House Hopper
1/16/2025House

Bill Text

HB 85/AP* (v8)
PDF

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