HB 666: Clayton Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for a sixth judge

The Clayton Judicial Circuit currently has five superior court judges. This bill amends Georgia's law on the number of superior court judges (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) to add a sixth judgeship to that circuit, which covers Clayton County. The Governor would appoint the new judge to a term starting January 1, 2026 and running through December 31, 2028. After that, the seat would be filled through the state's regular nonpartisan judicial elections every four years, like other superior court judgeships. The bill gives the new judge the same powers, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's existing judges, lets the circuit's judges divide up casework and courtroom duties among themselves, allows the circuit to appoint an extra court reporter, and lets the county government provide office space and staff for the new judge. Most provisions take effect January 1, 2026, though the appointment process can begin as soon as the Governor signs the bill.

• Adds a sixth superior court judgeship to the Clayton Judicial Circuit by amending O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2, raising the circuit's total number of judges from five to six.
• Directs the Governor to appoint the new judge for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, with a successor chosen in the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election.
• Gives the new judge the same powers, jurisdiction, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's other superior court judges.
• Lets the circuit's judges divide, allocate, and rotate case assignments and courtroom duties among themselves, with majority vote or the chief judge deciding disagreements.
• Authorizes the circuit to appoint an additional court reporter and allows county governments to provide office space, equipment, and staff for the new judge.
• Sets the appointment process to begin upon the Governor's signature, with most other provisions taking effect January 1, 2026.

Judges and staff of the Clayton Judicial Circuit superior courts, Clayton County's government (which funds court facilities and salaries), attorneys and litigants with cases in that circuit, and the Governor, who makes the initial appointment.

An additional judge could help the Clayton Judicial Circuit handle its caseload faster, potentially reducing delays for people with pending civil or criminal cases. The change also affects Clayton County's budget, since it shares responsibility for judicial salaries, expenses, and court facilities.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to change the Clayton Circuit's authorized number of judges from five to six.
• Section 3 has the Governor appoint the new judge for a term from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, with successors elected every four years afterward in nonpartisan judicial elections.
• Section 4 gives the new judge full powers, duties, and jurisdiction equal to other superior court judges, including sitting on appellate courts as allowed by law.
• Section 5 sets the new judge's pay and qualifications equal to the circuit's other judges, funded by both the state and the counties in the circuit.
• Section 7 lets the circuit's judges jointly set court rules, dockets, and calendars, and divide jury trials and other matters among themselves.
• Section 9 authorizes the circuit to appoint an additional court reporter.
• Section 11 allows county governments in the circuit to furnish courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel for the judges.
• Section 13 sets the effective date as upon the Governor's signature for the appointment process, and January 1, 2026 for all other purposes.

1. 2025-03-03House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-27House Hopper (House)

• Demetrius Douglas (D, HD-78)Primary sponsor
• Yasmin Neal (D, HD-79)
• Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)
• Tyler Paul Smith (R, HD-18)
• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-74)

• superior courts
• Clayton County
• judicial appointments
• court system