SB 145: Augusta Judicial Circuit; a sixth judge of the superior courts; provide

The Augusta Judicial Circuit currently has five superior court judges under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2). This bill raises that number to six. The Governor would appoint the new judge for a term starting January 1, 2026 and running through December 31, 2028. After that, voters would elect a successor at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election, and then every four years after that. The new judge would have the same powers, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's other superior court judges, paid jointly by the state and the counties in the circuit. The circuit's judges could divide up case duties among themselves, and the bill allows for an extra court reporter and lets county governments provide office space and staff for the judges. The appointment provision takes effect once the Governor signs the bill or it becomes law without a signature, while the rest takes effect January 1, 2026.

• Increases the number of superior court judges in the Augusta Judicial Circuit from five to six by amending O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2.
• Directs the Governor to appoint the new judge for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
• Sets up election of a permanent successor at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election, with four-year terms afterward.
• Gives the new judge the same powers, pay, and duties as the circuit's existing superior court judges.
• Allows the circuit's judges to divide up case work and authorizes an additional court reporter and county-provided office space and staff.

Superior court judges and staff in the Augusta Judicial Circuit, the counties that make up the circuit (which help fund judges' pay and provide facilities), the Governor's office, court reporters, jurors, and residents with cases in the circuit's superior courts.

Adding a sixth judge could speed up how quickly cases move through the Augusta Judicial Circuit's superior courts, affecting how soon residents with pending civil or criminal cases get hearings, while also creating a new position funded jointly by the state and local counties.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to change the Augusta Circuit's judge count from 5 to 6.
• Section 3 has the Governor appoint the new judge through 2028, with an elected successor taking over in 2029.
• Section 5 sets the new judge's pay and qualifications equal to the circuit's other superior court judges.
• Section 7 lets the circuit's judges jointly set rules for dividing case work, with majority or chief judge decisions controlling disputes.
• Section 9 authorizes an additional court reporter for the circuit.
• Section 11 allows county governments to provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and staff for the judges.
• Section 13 sets the appointment provision effective upon the Governor's signature, and all other provisions effective January 1, 2026.

1. 2025-04-30Effective Date
2. 2025-04-30Act 26
3. 2025-04-30Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-07Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-03-18House Passed/Adopted (House)
6. 2025-03-18House Third Readers (House)
7. 2025-03-13House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
8. 2025-03-04House Second Readers (House)

• Max Burns (R, SD-23)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones II (D, SD-22)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-24)
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 28, 2025

   53 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 2 excused)

   PASSAGE: Senate Vote #109

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2025

   172 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 5 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #282

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