SB351: SB351 County of Treutlen; the salary of the judge and solicitor-general; change

This bill amends the 1919 Act that created the State Court of Treutlen (formerly the City Court of Soperton) in Treutlen County. It sets new minimum annual salaries for two local officials: the judge and the solicitor-general (the local prosecutor for that court). Starting July 1, 2025, the judge must be paid at least $55,000.08 per year and the solicitor-general must be paid at least $49,000.08 per year, in equal monthly installments funded by Treutlen County. The bill also confirms both officials may serve consecutive terms. Any earlier laws that conflict with these changes are repealed.

• Sets a new minimum annual salary of $55,000.08 for the judge of the State Court of Treutlen, effective July 1, 2025.
• Sets a new minimum annual salary of $49,000.08 for the solicitor-general of the State Court of Treutlen, effective July 1, 2025.
• Requires that these salaries be paid in equal monthly installments from Treutlen County funds.
• Confirms that the judge and solicitor-general may be reappointed or reelected to succeed themselves in office.
• Repeals any earlier laws or parts of laws that conflict with these salary changes.

The judge and solicitor-general of the State Court of Treutlen, Treutlen County's government (which funds the salaries), and county taxpayers whose funds pay for these positions.

The change guarantees higher minimum pay for two specific local court officials in Treutlen County starting mid-2025, funded directly by the county, which affects how much county money goes toward running its local court system.

• Section 1 adds a new Section 3.1 to the 1919 Act establishing the State Court of Treutlen, setting the judge's minimum salary at $55,000.08 per year beginning July 1, 2025.
• Section 1 also sets the solicitor-general's minimum salary at $49,000.08 per year beginning July 1, 2025.
• Section 1 specifies salaries are paid monthly from Treutlen County funds and allows both officials to succeed themselves in office.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting prior laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 609
3. 2026-05-11Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-02-20House Passed/Adopted (House)
6. 2026-02-20House Third Readers (House)
7. 2026-02-20House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
8. 2025-03-31House Second Readers (House)

• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)Primary sponsor
• Esther Panitch (D, HD-051)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 27, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 4 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #291

2. PassedHouse voteFebruary 20, 2026

   162 yea, 0 nay (9 not voting, 6 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #537

• local government pay
• Treutlen County
• state court salaries
• county officials