All Roll Calls
Yes: 225 • No: 0
GeorgiaSB 1452025-2026 Regular SessionSenate
Augusta Judicial Circuit; a sixth judge of the superior courts; provide
Sponsored By: Lee Anderson (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Harold Jones II (Democrat)
Signed by Governor
JudiciaryGeneral Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Court operations with six judges
All six judges have the same powers and can hear cases anywhere in the circuit. Court terms and return rules stay the same, but all six share equal authority. Judges may set rules, split work, and run jury and motion calendars at the same time. A majority decides disputes; if there is no majority, the chief judge's decision controls. Any judge may draw jurors, and court papers from any judge are valid before any judge. Judges may also sit on appellate courts when the law allows.
Augusta Judicial Circuit gets sixth judge
The law adds one more superior court judge to the Augusta Judicial Circuit. The Governor appoints the first judge for January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028. Voters elect a successor in 2028 for a four-year term starting January 1, 2029; future successors are elected every four years. The new judge must meet the same qualifications, and pay and expense allowances match other circuit judges, including any county supplements. Appointment authority takes effect when the Act becomes law; all other parts on January 1, 2026. Any conflicting laws are repealed.
Counties must fund court space and staff
If a circuit judge asks, counties must provide courtrooms, offices, phones, equipment, supplies, and needed staff. Counties pay these as court expenses from the county treasury. Judges may also appoint one more court reporter. The reporter’s pay follows existing law. These steps add court support but also add public costs.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Lee Anderson
Republican • Senate
Max Burns
Republican • Senate
Harold Jones II
Democrat • Senate
Cosponsors
Mark Newton
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/18/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 172 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/28/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 53 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Senate Date Signed by Governor
4/30/2025SenateAct 26
4/30/2025Effective Date
4/30/2025Senate Sent to Governor
4/7/2025SenateHouse Third Readers
3/18/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted
3/18/2025HouseHouse Committee Favorably Reported
3/13/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
3/4/2025HouseHouse First Readers
3/3/2025HouseSenate Third Read
2/28/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted
2/28/2025SenateSenate Read Second Time
2/27/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported
2/26/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
2/12/2025SenateSenate Hopper
2/11/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB 145/AP* (v5)
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