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GeorgiaSB 4892025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia; allow to set monthly dues

Sponsored By: Lee Anderson (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Marty Harbin (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

RetirementGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Monthly retirement dues for probate judges

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia probate judges’ retirement fund members pay $105 to $150 each month. The board sets one amount for all members each year. It must consider its actuary’s advice, legal funding standards or higher board standards, and other factors it finds relevant. Members stop paying after 30 years of dues.

Lower upfront retirement payments for judges

Qualified Georgia probate judges, the retirement board’s secretary-treasurer, and board employees can apply to join the retirement fund. Applicants must use the board’s form and provide required proof. They pay one month of dues at the current rate, replacing $105 for each applicable month plus interest. This lowers upfront payments when the old rule covered multiple months. Judges must apply within 12 months of starting service to receive credit back to their start date.

More court fees support judges’ retirement

Georgia probate judges send the retirement fund 25% of marriage-license service fees, up from 20%. They also send $5 per civil filing fee, up from $2, and $1 per pistol-license application fee. Payments are due by the 20th day of the next month; these shares do not themselves raise household fees. The money supports retirement benefit adjustments and board administration. Judges must keep payment records, which are subject to audit.

Higher charges in probate court cases

Georgia probate courts collect $5 for the judges’ retirement fund when a qualifying fine is collected or bond is forfeited. This is up from $3. The rule covers criminal and quasi-criminal cases involving state-law or traffic-law violations before a probate judge. The fine or bond includes costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Lee Anderson

    Republican • Senate

  • Clint Dixon

    Republican • Senate

  • Russ Goodman

    Republican • Senate

  • Marty Harbin

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Hodges

    Republican • Senate

  • Chuck Payne

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

  • Shawn Still

    Republican • Senate

  • Carden Summers

    Republican • Senate

  • Sam Watson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Chas Cannon

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 1

House vote • 3/19/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 161 • No: 0 • Other: 11

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 53 • No: 1 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026Senate

  3. Act 515

    5/11/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. House Third Readers

    3/19/2026House

  6. House Passed/Adopted

    3/19/2026House

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/18/2026House

  8. House Second Readers

    3/9/2026House

  9. House First Readers

    3/6/2026House

  10. Senate Third Read

    3/4/2026Senate

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/4/2026Senate

  12. Senate Read Second Time

    2/26/2026Senate

  13. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. Senate Read and Referred

    2/11/2026Senate

  15. Senate Hopper

    2/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 489/AP* (v7)

    PDF

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