HB 625: Fulton County; State Court; provide additional judge

The State Court of Fulton County currently has 10 judges under a series of laws dating back to 1976. This bill amends that original law to add two more judgeships, bringing the total number of judges on the court to 12. The Governor would appoint the new judges as soon as possible after the bill takes effect, and they would serve until December 31, 2026. After that, permanent successors would be chosen by voters in the nonpartisan general election in May 2026, serving four-year terms starting January 1, 2027. The new judges would have the same powers, pay, and expense allowances as the court's existing judges, and any local salary supplements Fulton County has already approved would apply to them too.

• Adds two new judgeships to the State Court of Fulton County, increasing the total number of judges from 10 to 12.
• Directs the Governor to appoint the initial judges to fill the new seats as soon as practicable after the law takes effect.
• Sets the initial appointed judges' terms to expire December 31, 2026, after which successors are chosen by election.
• Requires permanent successors to be elected at the May 2026 nonpartisan general election for four-year terms starting January 1, 2027.
• Gives the new judges the same legal powers, pay, and expense allowances as the court's other judges, including any existing Fulton County salary supplements.

Fulton County residents who use the State Court for civil and criminal cases, the two new judges who will be appointed and later elected, the Governor who makes the initial appointments, Fulton County government (which funds judicial salaries and supplements), and voters in Fulton County who will elect permanent judges in 2026.

Adding two judges could speed up how quickly cases move through Fulton County's State Court by spreading the caseload across more judges. It also means Fulton County taxpayers will fund two more judicial salaries, and voters will have new judicial seats to decide in the 2026 election.

• Section 1 amends the 1976 Act (as amended in 1994 and 2003) that created the State Court of Fulton County by adding a new paragraph to Section 6(b).
• The new paragraph adds two judges, increasing the court's total from 10 to 12.
• The Governor appoints the initial judges to terms lasting until December 31, 2026, and until successors are elected and qualified.
• Successors are elected at the May 2026 nonpartisan general election for four-year terms beginning January 1, 2027.
• The new judges get the same powers, jurisdiction, compensation, and expense allowances as the court's existing judges, including any Fulton County salary supplements already in place.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date
2. 2025-05-13Act 208
3. 2025-05-13House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-27Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-27Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-03-06Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-03-04House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-53)Primary sponsor
• Esther Panitch (D, HD-51)
• Phil Olaleye (D, HD-59)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-63)
• Betsy Holland (D, HD-54)
• Bryce Berry (D, HD-56)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2025

   172 yea, 0 nay (6 not voting, 2 excused)

   Local Calendar: House Vote #148

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 27, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 4 excused)

   LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #291

• Fulton County courts
• state court judges
• judicial elections
• local government law