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GeorgiaHB 862025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Public officers and employees; calculating and setting the salaries of certain state officials; revise provisions

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

Became Law

JudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Legislator pay and expense rules

Each legislator’s salary is $16,200 a year. For FY2021 only, pay was cut by 10% of what each member received in 2020. Members can be reimbursed up to $7,000 per year for listed work expenses (like lodging, meals, supplies, telecom, travel, and equipment), but not for postage used on political newsletters; the per diem differential equals the daily expense allowance minus $119. Vouchers with documentation are due by April 15 after the legislative year; unclaimed amounts after the second year lapse. Leaders also receive member pay and allowances; the Speaker gets $22,800 plus extra equal to any Lieutenant Governor salary over $30,000, and the President Pro Tempore and Speaker Pro Tempore each get $4,800. These rules apply beginning June 1, 2025 if funds are appropriated; otherwise July 1, 2025.

New pay for Georgia statewide officials

The law sets pay for Georgia’s statewide officials. The Governor is paid $175,000 and also gets a mansion operations allowance set in the budget. Other annual salaries: Lieutenant Governor $54,920 (FY2021 pay was cut by 14% of FY2020); Attorney General $114,633; Agriculture Commissioner $100,429; Insurance Commissioner $100,396; Labor Commissioner $100,418 (state payment is reduced by any federal pay); Public Service Commission members $96,655; State School Superintendent $102,708; Secretary of State $102,708. The Adjutant General continues under existing pay rules. These rates apply beginning June 1, 2025 if funds are appropriated; otherwise July 1, 2025.

Set salaries for judges and prosecutors

The law sets these annual salaries: Supreme Court justice $175,600; Court of Appeals judge $174,500; State‑wide Business Court judge $174,500; superior court judge $126,265; district attorney $120,072. These rates apply beginning June 1, 2025 if funds are appropriated; otherwise July 1, 2025.

Future pay caps for top judges

Beginning July 1, 2026, pay for top state judges cannot exceed a share of a federal base salary. Caps are: Supreme Court 100%, Court of Appeals 99%, State‑wide Business Court 95%, and Tax Court 95%. The base is the U.S. District Court (Northern District of Georgia) judge salary set on July 1 two fiscal years earlier. Salaries are set each year in the General Appropriations Act but may not exceed these caps.

Start dates and cleanup rules

The law starts June 1, 2025 if the FY 2024–2025 budget funds it; if not, it starts July 1, 2025. Section 2 (judicial pay caps) starts July 1, 2026. Conflicting laws are repealed so these salary rules control.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • James Burchett

    Republican • House

  • Chuck Efstration

    Republican • House

  • Stan Gunter

    Republican • House

  • Soo Hong

    Republican • House

  • Rob Leverett

    Republican • House

  • Matt Reeves

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 311 • No: 72

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

RECEDE FROM SENATE AMENDMENT

Yes: 46 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 45 • No: 10

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

MOTION TO RECONSIDER AMENDMENT #1

Yes: 23 • No: 31

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #1 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 56TH

Yes: 30 • No: 23

House vote • 2/20/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 167 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Act 113

    5/12/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/8/2025House

  5. House Disagreed Senate Amend or Sub

    3/28/2025House

  6. House Immediately Transmitted to Senate

    3/28/2025House

  7. Senate Receded from Amend or Sub

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. Senate Third Read

    3/27/2025Senate

  9. Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended

    3/27/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read Second Time

    3/18/2025Senate

  11. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/13/2025Senate

  12. Senate Read and Referred

    2/21/2025Senate

  13. House Third Readers

    2/20/2025House

  14. House Passed/Adopted

    2/20/2025House

  15. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/12/2025House

  16. House Second Readers

    1/27/2025House

  17. House First Readers

    1/17/2025House

  18. House Hopper

    1/16/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 86/AP* (v5)

    PDF

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