Georgia CommonsHB750: HB750 Forsyth County; State Court; add a judge
Last action May 11, 2026 · Effective Date 2026-05-11
House Bill 750 adds a third judge to the State Court of Forsyth County, with the Governor appointing that judge starting July 1, 2026 until voters elect a successor in 2028.
In plain language
The State Court of Forsyth County currently operates with two judges under a 1996 law that has been amended before, most recently in 2002. This bill amends that original law again to expand the bench to three judges. Starting July 1, 2026, the court will have three judges instead of two. The Governor will appoint the new, third judge to an initial term running from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028. After that, the seat becomes an elected position: Forsyth County voters will choose the judge in a nonpartisan election held alongside the 2028 general primary, and every four years after that. The elected judge serves a four-year term and continues until a successor is elected and qualified.
What the bill does
- Increases the number of judges on the State Court of Forsyth County from two to three, effective July 1, 2026.
- Directs the Governor to appoint the new third judge for an initial term from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
- Establishes that future judges for this seat will be chosen by Forsyth County voters in nonpartisan elections held with the 2028 general primary and every four years afterward.
- Sets a four-year term for the elected judge, who continues serving until a successor is elected and qualified.
- Repeals any prior laws that conflict with these changes.
Who it affects
Forsyth County residents and voters, the Governor's office, current and future judges of the State Court of Forsyth County, and litigants and attorneys with cases in that court, which will gain added judicial capacity.
Why it matters
Adding a third judge could help the State Court of Forsyth County handle its caseload faster, since more judges typically means cases move through the system more quickly. It also changes how that judgeship is filled, shifting from a gubernatorial appointment to a countywide election starting in 2028.
Key provisions
- Section 1 amends subsection (a) of Section 3 of the 1996 Act to set the court's judge count at three, effective July 1, 2026.
- Section 1 adds a new subsection (e) creating the third judgeship, with the Governor appointing the first judge for a term from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028.
- Subsection (e) requires future elections for this seat to be nonpartisan, held with the 2028 general primary and every four years after, per O.C.G.A. § 21-2-138.
- Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.
Status timeline
- Effective Date 2026-05-11
- Act 520
- House Date Signed by Governor (House)
- House Sent to Governor (House)
- Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
- House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended (House)
- Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
Show full history (15 actions)
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- House Passed/Adopted (House)
- House Third Readers (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Brent Cox (R, HD-028)
- Carter Barrett (R, HD-024)
- Lauren McDonald (R, HD-026)
- David Clark (R, HD-100)
- Rick Jasperse (R, HD-011)
- Todd Jones (R, HD-025)
Votes
- House voteMarch 21, 2025
158 yea, 0 nay (9 not voting, 13 absent)
- Senate voteMarch 31, 2025
49 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 2 absent)
- Senate voteMarch 27, 2026
47 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 7 absent)
Topics
- Forsyth County
- state courts
- judicial appointments
- local elections
- judgeships