SB88: SB88 Douglas Judicial Circuit; a fourth judge of the superior courts; provide

The Douglas Judicial Circuit currently has three superior court judges under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2). This bill increases that number to four. The Governor would appoint the new judge for a term starting January 1, 2026 and running through December 31, 2028. Voters would then elect a successor at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election, with future judges elected every four years after that. The new judge would have the same powers, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's other superior court judges, and the counties in the circuit would keep paying their share of salary supplements. The bill lets the circuit's judges divide caseloads among themselves, sets rules for impaneling jurors, allows hiring an extra court reporter, and requires the counties to provide courtrooms, office space, and staff for the new judge.

• Amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to raise the number of superior court judges in the Douglas Judicial Circuit from three to four.
• Directs the Governor to appoint the new judge for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
• Requires the new judge's successor to be chosen at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election, with later successors elected every four years.
• Gives the new judge the same powers, pay, and duties as the circuit's other superior court judges, including authority to hear cases in other circuits.
• Lets the circuit's judges split up caseloads, jury duties, and court schedules among themselves, with the chief judge deciding ties.
• Authorizes hiring an additional court reporter and requires county governments to supply courtroom space, equipment, and staff for the new judge.

The bill affects residents and litigants in the Douglas Judicial Circuit, the Governor's appointments process, sitting and future superior court judges there, county governments that fund courthouse space and staff, and court reporters and jurors serving that circuit.

Adding a fourth judge could speed up how quickly cases move through the Douglas Judicial Circuit's superior courts, but it also means county governments must fund courtroom space, staff, and salary contributions for the new judge, and voters will eventually elect that judge's successors.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to change the Douglas Circuit's judge count from three to four.
• Section 3 sets the appointed judge's initial term (Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2028) and establishes the 2028 nonpartisan election for a successor, with four-year terms afterward.
• Section 4 gives the new judge full powers and privileges equal to other superior court judges, including sitting on appellate courts.
• Section 5 ties the new judge's pay and qualifications to those already set for other Douglas Circuit judges, including any county salary supplements.
• Section 7 lets the circuit's judges divide caseloads, jury trials, and court business, with majority or chief judge decisions resolving disagreements.
• Section 9 authorizes an additional court reporter for the circuit.
• Section 11 requires county governments in the circuit to provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel upon a judge's request, funded from county treasuries.

1. 2025-04-30Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-04-30Act 25
3. 2025-04-30Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-07Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-03-18House Passed/Adopted (House)
6. 2025-03-18House Third Readers (House)
7. 2025-03-13House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
8. 2025-03-04House Second Readers (House)

• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)Primary sponsor
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Kimberly New (R, HD-040)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 28, 2025

   48 yea, 6 nay (0 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #108

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2025

   171 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #281

• Douglas Judicial Circuit
• superior court judges
• judicial appointments
• county courts
• judicial elections