HB 515: Augusta Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for a sixth judge

The Augusta Judicial Circuit currently has five superior court judges under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2). This bill would raise that number to six by amending the code section that sets how many judges each circuit has. The new judge would be appointed by the Governor for a term starting January 1, 2026 and running through the end of 2028, filling the seat until voters elect a successor at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election. The bill gives the new judge the same powers, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's other judges, lets the circuit's judges divide up caseload and courtroom duties among themselves, allows any judge to impanel jurors, authorizes hiring an additional court reporter, and lets the counties in the circuit provide office space and staff for the judges. The appointment provisions take effect once the Governor signs the bill or it becomes law without signature; the rest takes effect January 1, 2026.

• Raises the number of superior court judges in the Augusta Judicial Circuit from five to six by amending O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2.
• Has the Governor appoint the new judge for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, with a successor elected in 2028.
• Gives the new judge the same powers, jurisdiction, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's existing superior court judges.
• Lets the circuit's judges divide caseload and courtroom duties among themselves, with disagreements resolved by majority vote or the chief judge.
• Authorizes appointment of an additional court reporter for the circuit, paid as provided by law.
• Allows the counties in the circuit to provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and staff for the judges upon request.

Superior court judges, court staff, and court reporters in the Augusta Judicial Circuit; the counties that make up the circuit, which help fund judicial salaries and facilities; the Governor, who makes the initial appointment; and residents and litigants whose cases move through these courts.

Adding a sixth judge could speed up how quickly cases move through the Augusta Judicial Circuit's superior courts by spreading the caseload across more judges. It also affects local government finances, since counties in the circuit share responsibility for judicial pay and facilities.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to change the Augusta Circuit's judge count from 5 to 6.
• Section 3 sets the appointment process: the Governor appoints the sixth judge for a term from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, with an elected successor taking office January 1, 2029.
• Section 4 gives the new judge the same powers, jurisdiction, and privileges as existing superior court judges, including sitting on appellate courts as allowed by law.
• Section 5 sets the judge's pay and qualifications equal to the circuit's other superior court judges, funded by the state and the circuit's counties.
• Section 7 lets the circuit's judges divide and rotate case assignments and court business, with majority vote or the chief judge deciding disputes.
• Section 9 authorizes the circuit's judges to appoint an additional court reporter.
• Section 11 allows county governments in the circuit to provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel for the judges.
• Section 13 sets the effective dates: appointment provisions apply once the Governor signs or the bill becomes law without signature; other provisions take effect January 1, 2026.

1. 2025-03-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-02-26House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
3. 2025-02-21House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-20House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-19House Hopper (House)

• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)Primary sponsor
• Brian Prince (D, HD-132)
• L.C. Myles (D, HD-126)
• Karlton Howard (D, HD-129)
• Lynn Heffner (D, HD-130)

• judicial appointments
• Augusta Judicial Circuit
• superior courts
• court funding
• Georgia judiciary