HB1057: HB1057 Gwinnett County; State Court; provide eighth judge January 1, 2027 and ninth judge January 1, 2028

The State Court of Gwinnett County currently has seven judges under a 1977 law that has been amended several times, most recently in 2022. This bill increases that number in two steps. Starting January 1, 2027, the court would have eight judges, with the new eighth judge appointed by the Governor for an initial term ending December 31, 2028. Starting January 1, 2028, the court would grow again to nine judges, with the new ninth judge also appointed by the Governor, serving an initial term ending December 31, 2030. After each judge's initial appointed term, future judges in that seat would be elected to four-year terms like the other judges. Both new judges would have the same powers and pay as the existing judges, and Gwinnett County would be responsible for providing them courtroom space, offices, and staff as county court expenses. The Governor may appoint the eighth judge before 2027 and the ninth judge as early as July 1, 2027, though neither may take office before their respective effective dates.

• Increases the State Court of Gwinnett County from seven to eight judges effective January 1, 2027, with the new judge initially appointed by the Governor.
• Increases the court from eight to nine judges effective January 1, 2028, with that new judge also initially appointed by the Governor.
• Sets the eighth judge's initial term to end December 31, 2028, and the ninth judge's initial term to end December 31, 2030, after which successors are elected to four-year terms.
• Gives both new judges the same powers, duties, and pay as the court's existing judges.
• Requires Gwinnett County's governing authority to provide the new judges with courtroom space, offices, equipment, and staff as an expense paid from the county treasury.
• Allows the Governor to appoint the eighth judge before January 1, 2027, and the ninth judge as early as July 1, 2027, though neither can take office early.

The bill affects the current and future judges of the State Court of Gwinnett County, Gwinnett County's governing authority (which funds courtroom space and staff), the Governor (who makes the initial appointments), and Gwinnett County residents and litigants who use the state court system.

Adding two judges would let the State Court of Gwinnett County handle more cases and potentially reduce case backlogs and wait times for residents involved in lawsuits or criminal misdemeanor matters. Gwinnett County taxpayers would cover the added costs of courtroom space, equipment, and staff for the new judges.

• Section 1-1 amends Section 13(a) of the 1977 State Court of Gwinnett County Act to raise the number of judges from seven to eight starting January 1, 2027.
• The eighth judge is appointed by the Governor for a term ending December 31, 2028, after which successors are elected to four-year terms starting the following January.
• Section 2-1 further amends Section 13(a) to raise the number of judges from eight to nine starting January 1, 2028.
• The ninth judge is appointed by the Governor for a term ending December 31, 2030, with the same election process afterward as other judges.
• Both sections require Gwinnett County to fund courtroom space, office space, equipment, supplies, and personnel for the new judges as a court expense paid from the county treasury.
• Section 3-1 sets the general effective date as upon the Governor's approval, but delays Part I until January 1, 2027 and Part II until January 1, 2028, while allowing early appointments (the ninth judge as early as July 1, 2027).
• Section 3-2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-05-12
2. 2026-05-12Act 647
3. 2026-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-16Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-16Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-02-09Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-02-06House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Dar'shun Kendrick (D, HD-095)Primary sponsor
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)
• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)
• Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 6, 2026

   163 yea, 0 nay (7 not voting, 5 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #480

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 16, 2026

   48 yea, 1 nay (3 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #719

• Gwinnett County courts
• state court judges
• judicial appointments
• local government funding