SB173: SB173 Pleadings and Motions; movants to file notices of uncontested motions in superior courts and state courts; authorize

Under current Georgia law, a judge can sit on a pretrial motion that no one has objected to for as long as they want, leaving parties in limbo. This bill changes that for superior courts and state courts by creating a new process: if a judge has not ruled on an unopposed motion within 60 days of filing, the party who filed it can submit a notice of uncontested motion. If the judge still has not ruled within 7 more days, the motion is automatically deemed granted and entered into the record. The bill pauses this deadline clock while a hearing on the motion is scheduled, until the day after the hearing happens. It also lets a chief judge review a fellow judge's docket practices and issue findings if that judge has had two or more motions automatically granted this way within a two year period. Separately, the bill requires anyone filing a motion or notice to send a copy directly to the assigned judge, and requires judges to issue instructions on how that should be done.

• Creates a new process letting a party file a notice of uncontested motion if a superior or state court judge has not ruled within 60 days of filing an unopposed pretrial motion.
• Automatically deems the motion granted and entered if the judge still fails to rule within seven days after the notice is filed.
• Pauses (tolls) these deadlines whenever a hearing on the motion is scheduled, restarting the clock the day after the hearing.
• Allows the chief judge of a court to review a judge's docket management practices and issue a findings report if that judge has had two or more motions auto-granted this way within two years.
• Requires parties filing any motion or notice to also send a copy directly to the judge assigned to the case, using instructions the judge must provide.

Lawyers and parties litigating civil cases in Georgia's superior and state courts, superior and state court judges (including chief judges who oversee dockets), and court clerks or staff involved in processing motions and notices.

Litigants whose unopposed motions currently sit unresolved for months would gain a concrete way to force action: either a ruling or an automatic grant. Judges with recurring delays could face internal review by their chief judge, and parties would take on a new duty to personally notify judges of filings.

• Adds new Code section 9-11-16.1 to Georgia's pleadings and motions law (O.C.G.A. Title 9, Chapter 11, Article 3).
• Subsection (a) lets a party file a notice of uncontested motion once 60 days pass without a ruling on an unopposed pretrial motion.
• Subsection (b) deems the motion granted and entered if the judge still has not ruled seven days after the notice is filed.
• Subsection (c) tolls (pauses) these time periods while a hearing on the motion is scheduled, resuming the day after the hearing.
• Subsection (d) lets the chief judge review a judge's docket practices and issue a report after two or more auto-granted motions within two years, and (e) preserves courts' ability to self-review.
• Adds new Code section 9-11-16.2 requiring parties to send a copy of any filed motion or notice directly to the assigned judge or designee.
• Requires each judge to issue a standing order or other instructions on how parties should provide those copies.
• Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-04-02Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended (Senate)
2. 2025-04-02House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Third Readers (House)
4. 2025-03-27House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
5. 2025-03-11House Second Readers (House)
6. 2025-03-10House First Readers (House)
7. 2025-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
8. 2025-03-06Senate Third Read (Senate)

• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)Primary sponsor
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Stan Gunter (R, HD-008)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   49 yea, 5 nay (2 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #201

2. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2025

   168 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 9 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #379

3. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2026

   41 yea, 8 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #945

• court procedure
• civil litigation
• judicial accountability
• pending motions
• Georgia courts