SB 327: Clayton Judicial Circuit; sixth judge of the superior courts; provide

The Clayton Judicial Circuit, which covers Clayton County, currently has five superior court judges. This bill would amend 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. The Governor would appoint the new judge to a term starting January 1, 2027 and running through December 31, 2028. After that, the seat would be filled through the state's regular nonpartisan judicial elections, with the winner's four-year term beginning January 1, 2029, and successors elected every four years after that. The new judge would have the same powers, qualifications, and pay as the circuit's other judges, and the circuit's judges could add another court reporter and share courthouse space and staff from the counties. The law would take effect for appointing the judge as soon as the Governor signs it, and for all other purposes on January 1, 2027.

• Amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to raise the number of superior court judges in the Clayton Judicial Circuit from five to six.
• Directs the Governor to appoint the new judge for an initial term from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028.
• Establishes that the judge's successor will be chosen in the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election and every four years afterward.
• Gives the new judge the same powers, jurisdiction, pay, and expense allowance as the circuit's existing superior court judges.
• Allows the circuit's judges to divide up cases and duties among themselves and lets them appoint an additional court reporter.
• Authorizes the counties in the circuit to provide courtroom space, equipment, and staff for the additional judge, paid from county funds.

Residents of Clayton County who use the superior courts, the sitting judges of the Clayton Judicial Circuit who would share duties with a new colleague, the Governor who makes the initial appointment, county governments that must fund facilities and support staff, and any additional court reporter hired for the circuit.

Adding a sixth judge could speed up how quickly cases move through Clayton County's superior court, affecting everyone with a case there, from criminal defendants to civil litigants. It also creates a new elected judicial office and a new financial obligation for the circuit's counties.

• Section 1 changes the number of Clayton Circuit superior court judges in O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 from 5 to 6.
• Section 3 sets the appointment process: the Governor names the judge for a term through December 31, 2028, with an elected successor taking office January 1, 2029.
• Section 4 gives the new judge the same powers, jurisdiction, and immunities as any other superior court judge in Georgia.
• Section 5 sets the judge's qualifications, pay, and expense allowance equal to those of the circuit's other judges.
• Section 7 lets the circuit's judges divide caseloads and set court procedures, with disagreements resolved by majority vote or the chief judge.
• Section 9 authorizes the circuit to appoint an additional court reporter.
• Section 11 lets county governments provide courtroom facilities, equipment, and staff for the judges, paid from county funds.
• Section 13 sets the effective date: immediately upon the Governor's approval for appointing the judge, and January 1, 2027 for all other purposes.

1. 2026-03-06Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-02-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-02-24Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2025-03-10Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2025-03-07Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)Primary sponsor
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)

• Clayton County courts
• judicial appointments
• superior court judges
• Clayton Judicial Circuit
• court funding