SR536: SR536 Boggs, Chief Justice Michael P.; recognize

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or obligations. It recounts the career of Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs, from his upbringing in Waycross and legal education at Mercer University School of Law, through service in the Georgia General Assembly, his time as a superior court judge and Court of Appeals judge, and his appointment to the Supreme Court of Georgia in 2016 by Governor Nathan Deal. The resolution notes that Boggs was elected chief justice by his colleagues in 2022 and has announced his resignation from the court effective March 31, 2025. The Senate formally recognizes and commends him for his public service and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send him a copy of the resolution.

• Formally recognizes and commends Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs for his public service to the State of Georgia.
• Recounts his educational, legal, legislative, and judicial career, including service in the Georgia General Assembly and on the Supreme Court of Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Chief Justice Boggs.
• Does not change any Georgia statute, create funding, or impose any legal requirement on any person or agency.

The resolution directly names Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs and the Secretary of the Senate, who must distribute a copy of it. It has no legal effect on the general public, courts, or state agencies.

Because this is a ceremonial resolution, it carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It marks the Senate's formal acknowledgment of a sitting chief justice's resignation and career but does not alter court operations, judicial procedures, or any Georgia law.

• The whereas clauses detail Boggs's biography, including his education at Georgia Southern College and Mercer University School of Law.
• The whereas clauses describe his legal career in Waycross and his election to the Georgia General Assembly in 2000.
• The whereas clauses note his judicial appointments, including to the Court of Appeals in 2012 and the Supreme Court of Georgia in 2016, and his election as chief justice in 2022.
• The resolved clause formally commends Boggs for his service and wishes him success in future endeavors.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Boggs.

1. 2025-04-04Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-04-02Senate Hopper (Senate)

• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)Primary sponsor
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)

• Georgia Supreme Court
• judicial resignation
• Chief Justice Michael Boggs
• Georgia Senate resolution