All Roll Calls
Yes: 219 • No: 6
GeorgiaSB 882025-2026 Regular SessionSenate
Douglas Judicial Circuit; a fourth judge of the superior courts; provide
Sponsored By: Timothy Bearden (Republican), Donzella James (Democrat)
Became Law
JudiciaryGeneral Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Court scheduling and jury rules updated
After the new judge qualifies, Douglas judges can make and change practice rules. They share and divide work, set dockets and calendars, and assign or rotate trials. A majority decides; if no majority, the chief judge decides. Any judge may draw and seat grand, petit, or special jurors for separate or simultaneous trials. Court papers can issue in any judge’s name and are valid before any judge in the circuit.
County must fund space and staff
When a judge asks, county leaders must provide courtrooms, offices, phones, furniture, equipment, supplies, and needed staff. These are court expenses paid from the county treasury. Judges may also appoint one additional court reporter for the circuit. The reporter’s pay follows what state law provides. These steps can raise local court operating costs.
Fourth superior court judge for Douglas
The Douglas Judicial Circuit now has four superior court judges, up from three. The Governor appoints the new judge from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028. Voters elect the successor in the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election for a four-year term starting January 1, 2029. Future judges are elected every four years and take office the next January. The new judge has the same powers, qualifications, and protections as other superior court judges. Pay and expense allowances match other Douglas Circuit judges, including any county supplements.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Timothy Bearden
Republican • Senate
Donzella James
Democrat • Senate
Cosponsors
Kimberly New
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/18/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 171 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/28/2025
PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE
Yes: 48 • No: 6
Actions Timeline
Effective Date
7/1/2025Senate Date Signed by Governor
4/30/2025SenateAct 25
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 By Substitute
2/28/2025SenateSenate Read Second Time
2/19/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/18/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
2/5/2025SenateSenate Hopper
2/4/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB 88/AP* (v7)
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