Senate · Engrossed · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB 532: Proceedings; defendant notices of certain proceedings and pleadings when such defendant failed to file pleadings; provide

Last action March 25, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

A House committee substitute for SB 532 would add a twelfth superior court judge to Georgia's Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, with the Governor appointing that judge starting in 2027 and voters electing a successor in 2028.

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In plain language

This bill, as substituted by the House Committee on Judiciary, no longer deals with the notice topic in its title. Instead it amends Georgia's law on the number of superior court judges (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) to raise the number of judges in the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit from 11 to 12. The Governor would appoint the new judge for a term starting January 1, 2027 and running through the end of 2028, after which the seat would be filled by a regularly elected judge at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election. The bill spells out that the new judge has the same powers, pay, and qualifications as other superior court judges, keeps existing rules for choosing a chief judge and dividing court work, allows an additional court reporter for the circuit, and lets Gwinnett-area counties provide office space and staff for the judges. The appointment provisions take effect once the Governor signs the bill or it becomes law without a signature; everything else takes effect January 1, 2027.

What the bill does

Raises the number of superior court judges in the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit from 11 to 12 by amending O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2.
Has the Governor appoint the new judge to serve from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028, until a successor is elected.
Sets up election of a permanent successor at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election for a four-year term starting January 1, 2029.
Gives the new judge the same powers, pay, and duties as the circuit's other superior court judges and lets the judges divide caseload and courtroom duties among themselves.
Authorizes an additional court reporter for the circuit and lets Gwinnett-area county governments supply courtrooms, office space, equipment, and staff for the judges.
Sets a split effective date: the appointment process starts upon the Governor's approval, while the rest of the changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Who it affects

Superior court judges, court staff, and litigants in Gwinnett County's judicial circuit; the Governor, who makes the initial appointment; voters in the circuit, who will elect a successor judge in 2028; and county governments in the circuit, which may be asked to fund facilities and support staff.

Why it matters

Adding a twelfth judge could help the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit handle its caseload faster, since more judges can hear cases, impanel juries, and manage dockets simultaneously. County governments in the circuit could see added costs for salary, office space, and staff to support the new judge.

Key provisions

Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to change the number of Gwinnett Circuit judges from 11 to 12.
Section 3 has the Governor appoint the new judge for a term from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2028, with a successor elected in 2028.
Section 4 gives the new judge the same powers and jurisdiction as other superior court judges, including sitting on appellate courts as allowed by law.
Section 7 keeps existing rules for electing a chief judge by majority vote among the circuit's judges, with two-year terms.
Section 10 authorizes an additional court reporter for the circuit.
Section 12 lets county governments in the circuit provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel for the judges, paid from county funds.
Section 14 sets the effective dates: immediately for appointment purposes upon the Governor's signature, and January 1, 2027 for all other purposes.

From the bill

“One additional judge of the superior courts is added to the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, thereby increasing to twelve the number of judges of said circuit.”
This is the core change: adding a twelfth judge to the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit.

“Said additional judge shall be appointed by the Governor for a term beginning January 1, 2027, and continuing through December 31, 2028, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.”
Explains how the new judge is first chosen and how long the initial term lasts.

Status timeline

2026-03-25House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2026-03-10House Second Readers (House)
2026-03-09House First Readers (House)
2026-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2026-03-06Senate Third Read (Senate)
2026-03-06Senate Taken from Table (Senate)
2026-03-06Senate Tabled (Senate)
2026-03-04Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

Show full history (11 actions)

2026-03-03Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
2026-02-19Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2026-02-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

Votes

PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2026
47 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 7 absent)
Passage: Senate Vote #691

Topics

Gwinnett County courts
superior court judges
judicial appointments
court funding
Georgia judiciary

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