Georgia General Assembly · Full text

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

Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action May 12, 2026 · Passed

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House Bill 1534 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Petrea of the 166th, Jackson of the 165th, and Hitchens of the 161st

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend an Act creating the State Court of Chatham County, approved December 18, 1819 (Ga. L. 1819, p. 16), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 30, 2003 (Ga. L. 2003, p. 3667), so as to provide for an additional judge of the State Court of Chatham County; to provide for the election, powers, duties, jurisdiction, privileges, immunities, and compensation of said additional judge; to authorize the governing authority of Chatham County to provide facilities, office space, supplies, equipment, and personnel for said judge; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

An Act creating the State Court of Chatham County, approved December 18, 1819 (Ga. L. 1819, p. 16), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 30, 2003 (Ga. L. 2003, p. 3667) is amended by revising Section 2A as follows:

"SECTION 2A.

(a) Until January 1, 2027, there shall be three judges of the State Court of Chatham County, as provided by existing law. The judges of said court in office prior to January 1, 2027, shall continue to serve the terms of office to which they were elected or appointed and until their successors are elected and qualified.

(b) Effective January 1, 2027, there shall be four judges of the State Court of Chatham County. The fourth judge added effective January 1, 2027, shall be appointed by the Governor for an initial term of office ending on December 31, 2028, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. The successor to said judge shall be elected by the qualified voters of Chatham County at an election to be held and conducted jointly with the general primary in 2028. The judge so elected shall serve a four-year term and until such judge's successor is elected and qualified.

(c) The fourth judge of the State Court of Chatham County shall have and may exercise all powers, duties, jurisdictions, privileges, and immunities of the present judges of the State Court of Chatham County. Any of the judges of said court may preside over any cause and perform any official act as judge thereof. The compensation of the additional judge shall be the same as that provided for other judges of the State Court of Chatham County. Upon request of the additional judge, the governing authority of Chatham County is authorized to furnish the additional judge with suitable courtroom space and facilities, office space, office equipment, supplies, and such personnel as may be considered necessary by the court to the proper function of the court. All of the expenditures authorized herein are declared to be an expense of court and payable out of the county treasury as such."

SECTION 2.

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