Georgia CommonsSenate · 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.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
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.”
“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.”
Discussed in meetings (10)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
Senate Judiciary Committee, March 2, 2026
From 1:39:17 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would clarify notices owed to defendants who have not filed a response, particularly when a court is determining damages or entering a default judgment. The sponsor argued that defendants may otherwise have a right to participate without knowing when the hearing occurs, leading to reopened cases, appeals, added costs and uncertainty for plaintiffs. The chair questioned how the requirement would work in courts that issue their own hearing notices, asking whether the party bringing the lawsuit would still need to serve notice at the defendant's last known address and file proof of service. Legislative counsel confirmed that the referenced service provision applied. The chair said the wording appeared to put responsibility on the party bringing the claim, potentially requiring lawyers to change their practices even where courts send notices. The sponsor said some lawyers already provide these notices and argued that making the practice consistent would improve efficiency and fairness. The committee passed the bill 6-0.
Senate Rules Committee, March 5, 2026
From 0:46:35 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: A committee member presenting SB 532 initially said it would allow a defendant who missed a court deadline to file an answer after default. After another member asked about the process, the presenting member corrected that explanation, saying the proposal would not necessarily reopen the case or allow a late answer. Instead, the member said it would provide notice and an opportunity to attend later proceedings so the defendant knows what is happening. The committee unanimously included the bill in the floor-calendar package.
Senate floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, part 2)
From 4:53:54 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Taken from Table)
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would clarify when defendants who have not formally responded to a civil lawsuit must still receive notices, including during default judgment proceedings. The sponsor explained that current law can be interpreted as waiving those notices, allowing decisions about damages or judgment to proceed without the defendant’s participation. The clerk also described language clarifying defendants’ ability to appear and present evidence about damages in certain default cases. The sponsor offered an example of a small business owner missing an answer deadline after misunderstanding paperwork or believing a settlement was being arranged. No questions or opposing speeches followed. The Senate passed the bill, 47-0.
House Judiciary Committee, March 23, 2026
From 0:10:26 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair said the bill's original contents had been removed and replaced with a Gwinnett judgeship proposal. A committee member asked whether other judgeship proposals, including one for Fulton County, were moving forward and whether they should be included. The chair said Gwinnett had been one of the issues holding up the proposals and hoped this change would help the others advance. The chair believed other proposals were in the Senate but was not certain. No amendments were offered, and the committee approved the bill by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
- Read aloud: Senate floor session, February 19, 2026 (legislative day 21), 0:31:18
- Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 3, 2026 (legislative day 26), 0:33:47
- Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 4, 2026 (legislative day 27), 0:49:28
- Read aloud: House floor session, March 9, 2026 (legislative day 29), 0:56:36
- Read aloud: House floor session, March 10, 2026 (legislative day 30), 0:44:43
- Read aloud: House floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37, AM), 0:43:23
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Third Read (Senate)
- Senate Taken from Table (Senate)
- Senate Tabled (Senate)
- Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
Show full history (11 actions)
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-39)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-44)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
- Jaha Howard (D, SD-35)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
- Harold Jones II (D, SD-22)
- Nabilah Parkes (D, SD-7)
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-5)
- Nikki Merritt (D, SD-9)
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-41)
- Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)
Votes
- Senate voteMarch 6, 2026
47 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 7 excused)
Topics
- Gwinnett County courts
- superior court judges
- judicial appointments
- court funding
- Georgia judiciary