HB 557: Northeastern Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for a sixth judge

The Northeastern Judicial Circuit, which includes several northeast Georgia counties, currently has five superior court judges. This bill amends Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) to raise that number to six. The Governor would appoint the new judge to a term starting January 1, 2027 and running through the end of 2028. After that, voters would elect the judge's successor at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election, with future elections every four years. 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 caseloads and jury duties among themselves, allows hiring an additional court reporter, and lets county governments provide courtroom space and staff. The judge appointment takes effect once the Governor signs the bill or it becomes law without a signature; the rest of the changes take effect January 1, 2027.

• Increases the number of superior court judges in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit from five to six by amending O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2.
• Has the Governor appoint the sixth judge for a term from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028.
• Requires the judge's successor to be chosen by voters at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election, with later successors elected every four years.
• Gives the new judge the same authority, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's existing superior court judges.
• Allows the circuit's judges to split up case assignments, jury duties, and court schedules among themselves, with majority or chief judge decisions resolving disputes.
• Authorizes hiring an additional court reporter and lets county governments supply courtroom space, equipment, and staff for the judges.

Superior court judges, court staff, and court reporters in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit; county governments in that circuit, which help fund and house the courts; the Governor, who makes the initial appointment; and residents and litigants whose cases are heard in this circuit.

Adding a sixth judge could speed up case processing and reduce caseload burdens in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit's courts. It also affects local government finances, since counties help pay judicial salaries and provide facilities, and gives voters a new judicial seat to fill starting in 2028.

• Section 1 changes the number listed for the Northeastern Circuit in O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 from 5 to 6 judges.
• Section 3 sets the appointed judge's initial term from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2028, with an elected successor starting January 1, 2029.
• Section 4 gives the new judge the same powers and authority as other superior court judges statewide.
• Section 7 lets the circuit's judges divide caseload and scheduling duties, with disputes resolved by majority vote or the chief judge.
• Section 9 authorizes appointment of an additional court reporter for the circuit.
• Section 11 allows county governments to provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel for the judges, paid from county funds.
• Section 13 sets the effective date: appointment authority begins upon the Governor's signature, and all other provisions take effect January 1, 2027.

1. 2026-02-03Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-02House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
3. 2026-02-02House Third Readers (House)
4. 2026-01-28House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
5. 2025-02-24House Second Readers (House)
6. 2025-02-21House First Readers (House)
7. 2025-02-20House Hopper (House)

• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)Primary sponsor
• Brent Cox (R, HD-028)
• David Clark (R, HD-100)
• Emory Dunahoo (R, HD-031)
• Derrick McCollum (R, HD-030)
• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 2, 2026

   167 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 4 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #467

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