Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HB 1365: Atlanta Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide twenty-first judge

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action March 6, 2026 · Engrossed

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House Bill 1365

By: Representatives Jones of the 25th, Silcox of the 53rd, Martin of the 49th, Jones of the 47th, Evans of the 57th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the number of judges of superior courts, so as to provide for a twenty-first judge of the superior courts of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit; to provide for the appointment of such additional judge by the Governor; to provide for the election of successors to the judge initially appointed; to prescribe the powers of such judge; to provide for the powers and duties of such additional judge; to preserve existing local Acts regarding such judicial circuit; to provide for the compensation of such additional judge; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the number of judges of superior courts, is amended by revising paragraph (3) as follows: "(3) Atlanta Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 21"

SECTION 2.

An additional judge of the superior court is added to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, thereby increasing to 21 the number of judges of said circuit.

SECTION 3.

The additional judge of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit appointed pursuant to this Act shall be appointed by the Governor for a term beginning January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2028, and until a successor is elected and qualified. A successor to the initial judge shall be elected in a manner provided by law for the election of judges of the superior courts of this state at the nonpartisan general election in 2028, for a term of four years beginning on January 1, 2029, and until the election and qualification of a successor. Future successors shall be elected at the general election each four years thereafter for terms of four years and until the election and qualification of a successor. The successor shall take office on the first day of January following the date of the election. Such elections shall be held and conducted in a manner provided by law for the election of judges of the superior courts of this state.

SECTION 4.

Said additional judge of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit shall have and may exercise all powers, duties, dignity, jurisdiction, privileges, and immunities of the present judges of the superior courts of this state. Any of the judges of the superior court of said circuit may preside over any case therein and perform any official act as judge thereof. The additional judge is authorized to employ court personnel on the same basis as other judges of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit.

SECTION 5.

Except as expressly stated, this Act shall not be construed to alter or repeal any provision of any local Act relating to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to limit or restrict the inherent powers, duties, and responsibilities of superior court judges provided by the Constitution and statutes of the State of Georgia.

SECTION 6.

The compensation, salary, and contingent expense allowance of said additional judge of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit shall be the same as that of the other judges of the superior court of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Any salary supplements or locality pay provided by the county of said circuit shall also be applicable to the additional judge provided for in this Act.

SECTION 7.

This Act shall become effective for the purposes of appointing the additional judge upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval and for all other purposes on January 1, 2027.

SECTION 8.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.