HB 722: Bryan County; State Court; provide for a chief judge and an associate judge

The State Court of Bryan County, formerly the City Court of Pembroke, currently has one judge. This bill reorganizes that court's leadership by designating the current judge as a full-time chief judge and creating a brand-new part-time associate judge position. The chief judge finishes out the current term, and future chief judges are elected every four years at the general election. The new associate judge would first be appointed by the Governor to serve from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, after which the seat becomes an elected position for four-year terms starting in 2029. The associate judge cannot practice law in that court. Both judges' pay is set by local acts of Bryan County's governing authority, and the county may supplement salaries. The chief judge is given responsibility for administering the court, including budgeting and scheduling. The law takes effect once the Governor signs it or it becomes law without a signature.

• Creates a full-time chief judge position for the State Court of Bryan County, filled initially by the sitting judge.
• Establishes a new part-time associate judge position that is barred from practicing law in that court.
• Provides for the Governor to initially appoint the associate judge for a term from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028.
• Sets up future elections for both the chief judge and associate judge, with the associate judge becoming an elected four-year term starting in 2029.
• Gives the chief judge authority over the court's administration, including budgeting, scheduling, and internal rules.
• Leaves judicial pay to be set by local acts of Bryan County's governing authority, which may also supplement salaries.

The current and future judges of the State Court of Bryan County, Bryan County's governing authority (which sets judicial pay), the Governor (who makes the initial associate judge appointment), and Bryan County residents who use the state court system.

Bryan County's state court would gain a second judge for the first time, potentially helping handle caseloads, while shifting how judges are selected: one through direct election, the other starting as a gubernatorial appointee before later becoming an elected office.

• Section 1 revises Section 1.1 to create a full-time chief judge role, held first by the sitting judge, with future chief judges elected to four-year terms.
• Section 2 revises Section 1.2 to create a part-time associate judge who cannot practice law in the court, initially appointed by the Governor from 2026 to 2028.
• Section 2 also sets up election of the associate judge's successor in 2028 under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-138, for a four-year term beginning in 2029.
• Section 3 adds Section 1.3 requiring both judges to meet qualifications and follow discipline rules under Title 15, Chapter 7 of the Georgia Code.
• Section 4 adds Section 1.4 making the chief judge responsible for court administration, including budgeting, scheduling, and policies.
• Section 5 makes the law effective upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without signature.

1. 2025-05-01Effective Date
2. 2025-05-01Act 60
3. 2025-05-01House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-25Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-03-18Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-03-13House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)Primary sponsor
• Jesse Petrea (R, HD-166)
• Lehman Franklin (R, HD-160)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 13, 2025

   169 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 6 excused)

   Local Calendar: House Vote #273

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 25, 2025

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

   LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #277

• Bryan County courts
• state court judges
• local government law
• judicial appointments
• court administration