SB145: SB145 Augusta Judicial Circuit; a sixth judge of the superior courts; provide

The Augusta Judicial Circuit, which covers Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Lincoln, Warren, Glascock, Jefferson, Wilkes, and Taliaferro counties, currently has five superior court judges. This bill amends Georgia's law on the number of superior court judges (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) to add a sixth judgeship to that circuit. The Governor would appoint the new judge for a term starting January 1, 2026, and running through the end of 2028. After that, the seat would be filled through Georgia's regular nonpartisan judicial elections, with four-year terms like other superior court judges. The bill also spells out that the new judge has the same powers, pay, and duties as the circuit's existing judges, lets the judges divide up caseloads and jury duties among themselves, allows for an additional court reporter, and lets the counties provide office space and staff. The appointment provision takes effect once the Governor signs the bill; everything else takes effect January 1, 2026.

• Amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to raise the number of superior court judges in the Augusta Judicial Circuit from five to six.
• Directs the Governor to appoint the new judge for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
• Sets up nonpartisan judicial elections starting in 2028 to fill the seat with four-year terms afterward.
• Gives the new judge the same powers, pay, and duties as the circuit's other superior court judges, paid by the state and the circuit's counties.
• Allows the circuit's judges to divide caseloads, set court calendars, and jointly manage jury impaneling and court business.
• Authorizes an additional court reporter and lets county governments provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and staff for the new judge.

Residents and litigants in the Augusta Judicial Circuit's counties, the circuit's existing superior court judges, the Governor (who makes the initial appointment), voters who will elect the judge's successor, court staff including reporters, and the county governments that fund and house the courts.

Adding a sixth judge could speed up how quickly cases move through the Augusta Judicial Circuit's superior courts by spreading out caseloads among more judges. It also creates a new judicial office that voters will eventually choose through elections, and requires county governments to help fund and staff the new position.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to change the Augusta Circuit's judge count from five to six.
• Section 3 sets the appointed judge's initial term from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, with successors chosen at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election for four-year terms thereafter.
• Section 4 gives the new judge full powers and jurisdiction equal to other superior court judges, including sitting on appellate courts as provided by law.
• Section 5 sets the new judge's pay and qualifications equal to other Augusta Circuit judges, funded by the state and the circuit's counties.
• Section 7 lets the circuit's judges jointly set rules, dockets, and calendars, with disputes resolved by majority vote or the chief judge.
• Section 9 authorizes the circuit to appoint an additional court reporter.
• Section 11 lets county governments furnish courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel for the judges.
• Section 13 makes the appointment provision effective upon the Governor's signature, with all other provisions effective January 1, 2026.

1. 2025-04-30Effective Date 2025-04-30
2. 2025-04-30Act 26
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)

• Max Burns (R, SD-023)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 28, 2025

   53 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #109

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2025

   172 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #282

• Augusta Judicial Circuit
• superior court judges
• judicial appointments
• Georgia courts
• judicial elections