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GeorgiaSB 2612025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Magistrates Retirement Fund; early retirement benefit; provide

Sponsored By: Lee Anderson (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Marty Harbin (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

RetirementGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Bigger retirement benefits for Georgia magistrates

Beginning July 1, 2026, approved Georgia Magistrates Retirement Fund members get larger monthly retirement benefits. Benefits equal 5% of average final monthly compensation per service year, up from 4%. The service limit rises from 20 to 28 years. The compensation limit is $42,781.22 annually or the county-population schedule amount, whichever is higher. That schedule ranges from $1,975.98 monthly for counties under 6,000 people to $7,247.87 for counties with 500,000 or more. The board can raise compensation limits uniformly, based on actuarial advice, funding soundness standards, and other relevant factors. The law requires concurrent funding under Georgia’s Public Retirement Systems Standards Law; otherwise, the act automatically repeals on July 1, 2026.

Higher retirement dues for Georgia magistrates

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia Magistrates Retirement Fund members pay higher monthly dues. Dues rise from 3.42% to 4.0% of the member’s maximum average final monthly compensation. Payments are due by the tenth day of each month. Service periods with unpaid required dues do not count toward retirement benefits, which can lower a member’s check. The law requires concurrent funding under Georgia’s Public Retirement Systems Standards Law; otherwise, the act automatically repeals on July 1, 2026.

Retired magistrates gain retirement board representation

Beginning July 1, 2026, one retired chief magistrate replaces an active chief magistrate on the seven-member retirement fund board. The board keeps four active chief magistrates, the Governor or a designee, and another Governor appointee who is not the Attorney General. All five magistrate representatives must be fund members. The Governor controls appointments and need not choose nominees offered by the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. Members serve three-year terms, may be reappointed, and remain until their successors qualify. The board chooses its chair, and four members form a quorum. Members receive no pay but may receive travel and other expense reimbursement. Remaining members fill vacancies with a chief magistrate who belongs to the fund for the rest of the term. The law requires concurrent funding under Georgia’s Public Retirement Systems Standards Law; otherwise, the act automatically repeals on July 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Lee Anderson

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Gooch

    Republican • Senate

  • Marty Harbin

    Republican • Senate

  • Billy Hickman

    Republican • Senate

  • Brian Strickland

    Republican • Senate

  • Rick Williams

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • John Carson

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 273 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 53 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 167 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 53 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026Senate

  3. Act 490

    5/11/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/2/2026Senate

  6. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/31/2026House

  7. House Third Readers

    3/31/2026House

  8. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/31/2026House

  9. House Second Readers

    3/9/2026House

  10. House First Readers

    3/6/2026House

  11. Senate Third Read

    3/4/2026Senate

  12. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/4/2026Senate

  13. Senate Read Second Time

    2/5/2026Senate

  14. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/4/2026Senate

  15. Senate Read and Referred

    2/27/2025Senate

  16. Senate Hopper

    2/26/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 261/AP* (v13)

    PDF

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