HB482: HB482 Courts; superior court judicial officers in certain judicial circuits; provide

25 LC 47 3316 House Bill 482 By: Representatives Kelley of the 16th, Silcox of the 53rd, Evans of the 57th, and Smith of the 18th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to general provisions regarding superior courts, so as to provide for superior court2 judicial officers in certain judicial circuits; to provide for the appointment, qualifications,3 terms, duties, and employment status of such judicial officers; to provide for related matters;4 to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to8 general provisions regarding superior courts, is amended by adding a new Code section to9 read as follows:10 "15-6-37.11 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any judicial circuit of this state with 1512 or more judges of the superior court, as provided for in Code Section 15-6-2, the governing13 authorities of the counties that make up such circuit are authorized to provide funding for14 up to five judicial officers to serve in the superior courts of such circuit.15 H. B. 482 - 1 - 25 LC 47 3316 (b) In the event that a county or counties provide funding for judicial officers as provided16 for in subsection (a) of this Code section, the chief judge of the circuit, after consulting17 with a majority of the superior court judges in such circuit, m ay appoint qualified18 individuals as judicial officers in the superior courts of such circuit. Judicial officers shall19 have all of the qualifications provided for in Code Section 15-6-4 for superior court judges;20 provided, however, that such judicial officers shall not be elected.21 (c) Judicial officers appointed pur suant to this Code section shall have all powers and22 duties of a judge of the superior court; provided, however, that judicial officers shall not23 preside over any case or matter related to a serious violent felony as such term is defined24 in Code Section 17-10-6.1, and provided, further, that the chie f judge of a circuit, after25 consulting with a majority of the superior court judges in such circuit, may place such26 additional limitations on the use of such judicial officers in the circuit.27 (d) Judicial officers appointed pursuant to this Code section shall be appointed to terms28 not to exceed two years; provided, however, that a judicial officer may be reappointed to29 succeed himself or herself.30 (e) Judicial officers appointed pursuant to this Code section shall be employees of the31 county or counties that make up the judicial circuit in which t hey are appointed. Such32 judicial officers shall not be considered state employees for any reason, and the counties33 that make up such circuit shall be responsible for the compensation, benefits, travel, and34 other expenses for such judicial officers."35 SECTION 2.36 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.37 H. B. 482 - 2 -