HB 55: Alapaha Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for an additional judge

The Alapaha Judicial Circuit currently has two superior court judges. House Bill 55 amends Georgia's code on the number of superior court judges (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) to add a third judgeship to that circuit, which covers several south Georgia counties. The Governor would appoint the new judge to a term starting January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2028. Voters would then choose a successor at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election, with that winner taking office in January 2029 for a four-year term, and every four years after that. Candidates would have to specify which judge's seat they are running for. The bill also sets the new judge's pay, lets the circuit's judges divide their workload and pick a chief judge, allows an extra court reporter, and requires the circuit's counties to provide courtroom space and staff. It takes effect for appointment purposes once signed, and for all other purposes on January 1, 2026.

• Adds a third superior court judgeship to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit by changing the judge count in Georgia law from two to three.
• Has the Governor appoint the first judge to fill the new seat for a term running from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028.
• Requires a successor to be chosen at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election and every four years afterward.
• Requires judicial candidates to declare which specific seat, named for the incumbent, they are running to fill.
• Authorizes the circuit's judges to hire an additional court reporter and to divide caseload duties among themselves.
• Requires the counties in the circuit to provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and staff for the new judge.

The change affects residents and litigants in the counties of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, the sitting superior court judges there, any judge appointed or later elected to the new seat, court reporters, county governments that must fund facilities and staff, and candidates running in future judicial elections.

Adding a judge could help the circuit handle its caseload faster, since cases could be split among three judges instead of two. It also creates a new elected office that candidates must run for by name, and shifts some costs, like an additional court reporter and office space, onto county governments.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to raise the number of Alapaha Circuit judges from two to three.
• Section 2 sets the appointed judge's initial term (January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028) and establishes four-year elected terms afterward, starting with the 2028 election.
• Section 3 requires candidates to designate the specific judgeship seat they are seeking by naming the incumbent they hope to succeed.
• Section 5 sets the new judge's pay and salary supplements equal to the circuit's other judges.
• Section 7 allows the circuit's judges to divide their workload and choose a chief judge by majority vote or seniority.
• Section 9 authorizes hiring an additional court reporter for the circuit.
• Section 11 requires the circuit's counties to fund courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel for the judges.
• Section 13 sets the effective date as immediate for appointment purposes and January 1, 2026 for all other purposes.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date
2. 2025-05-13Act 171
3. 2025-05-13House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-25House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2025-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2025-03-20Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2025-03-13Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

• Jaclyn Ford (R, HD-170)Primary sponsor
• James Burchett (R, HD-176)
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Stan Gunter (R, HD-8)
• Chas Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-8)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 12, 2025

   166 yea, 1 nay (6 not voting, 7 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #27

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2025

   51 yea, 1 nay (0 not voting, 4 excused)

   PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #254

3. PassedHouse voteMarch 25, 2025

   166 yea, 0 nay (9 not voting, 5 excused)

   Agree to Senate Substitute: House Vote #314

• superior courts
• judicial appointments
• Alapaha Judicial Circuit
• judicial elections
• court funding