HB 1534: Chatham County; State Court; provide additional judge

The State Court of Chatham County currently has three judges under a law that dates back to 1819 and was last revised in 2003. This bill amends that law to add a fourth judgeship. Until January 1, 2027, the court keeps its current three judges, who continue serving the terms they were elected or appointed to. Starting January 1, 2027, a fourth judge position is created. The Governor appoints that first fourth judge to a term running through December 31, 2028. After that, Chatham County voters elect the fourth judge's successor at the 2028 general primary, and that elected judge serves a four-year term. The new judge has the same powers, duties, and pay as the other State Court judges, and any judge may handle any case. Chatham County's governing authority is authorized, at the new judge's request, to provide courtroom space, office space, equipment, supplies, and staff, with those costs paid from the county treasury.

• Adds a fourth judgeship to the State Court of Chatham County, effective January 1, 2027, increasing the court from three judges to four.
• Has the Governor appoint the first fourth judge to serve an initial term through December 31, 2028.
• Requires Chatham County voters to elect the fourth judge's permanent successor at the 2028 general primary, for a four-year term.
• Gives the fourth judge the same powers, jurisdiction, and pay as the court's existing judges.
• Authorizes Chatham County's governing authority to provide courtroom space, offices, equipment, supplies, and personnel for the new judge, funded from the county treasury.

Residents and litigants in Chatham County who use the State Court, the current and future judges of that court, the Governor's office (which makes the initial appointment), Chatham County voters (who elect the judge's successor in 2028), and Chatham County's governing authority, which must fund facilities and staff for the new judge.

Adding a fourth judge could help the State Court of Chatham County handle its caseload more quickly, since more judges can share the workload. It also means Chatham County taxpayers cover the cost of an additional judge's courtroom, staff, and equipment starting in 2027.

• Section 1 revises Section 2A of the original 1819 Act creating the State Court of Chatham County, as amended in 2003.
• Subsection (a) keeps three judges in place until January 1, 2027, with current judges serving out their existing terms.
• Subsection (b) creates a fourth judgeship effective January 1, 2027, appointed by the Governor through December 31, 2028, with a successor elected by Chatham County voters at the 2028 general primary for a four-year term.
• Subsection (c) gives the fourth judge equal powers, duties, jurisdiction, and compensation, and authorizes county-funded courtroom space, equipment, supplies, and personnel.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-05-12
2. 2026-05-12Act 672
3. 2026-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-04-02House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2026-04-02House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
7. 2026-03-25Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
8. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)

• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)Primary sponsor
• Jesse Petrea (R, HD-166)
• Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)
• Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2026

   161 yea, 2 nay (7 not voting, 6 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #712

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 25, 2026

   50 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #799

3. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2026

   101 yea, 69 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Supplemental Local Calendar #2: House Vote #871

• Chatham County courts
• state court judges
• local government law
• judicial appointments
• Georgia elections