HB1215: HB1215 Middle Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for a third judge

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) sets the number of superior court judges allowed in each judicial circuit. This bill raises those numbers in five circuits: the Atlanta Judicial Circuit goes from 20 to 21 judges, the Clayton Judicial Circuit from 5 to 6, the Middle Judicial Circuit from 2 to 3, the Northeastern Judicial Circuit from 5 to 6, and the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit from 11 to 12. Each new judge would first be appointed by the Governor for a term running from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. After that, voters would elect a successor at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election for a four year term starting January 1, 2029, with elections repeating every four years after that. The bill also spells out how these new judges share duties with existing judges, how chief judges are chosen in the Middle and Gwinnett circuits, and allows each circuit to hire an extra court reporter. County governments in these circuits may provide office space and supplies for the new judges. Appointment provisions take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature, with the rest of the law starting January 1, 2027.

• Increases the number of authorized superior court judges by one each in the Atlanta, Clayton, Middle, Northeastern, and Gwinnett Judicial Circuits.
• Directs the Governor to appoint each new judge to a term from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2028, with a successor then elected by voters in the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election.
• Gives the new judges the same powers, jurisdiction, and pay as existing superior court judges in their circuits, paid by the state and by the counties in each circuit.
• Sets up a process for electing a chief judge in the Middle and Gwinnett Judicial Circuits, serving two year terms with unlimited reelection.
• Authorizes each affected circuit to appoint one additional court reporter and allows county governments to provide courtrooms, office space, and staff for the new judges.
• Makes the appointment provisions effective upon the Governor's signature, with the rest of the changes taking effect January 1, 2027.

The bill affects residents, attorneys, and litigants in the Atlanta, Clayton, Middle, Northeastern, and Gwinnett Judicial Circuits, the Governor who will appoint the new judges, county governments that help fund and house the courts, and voters in those circuits who will elect successors starting in 2028.

Adding judges to these circuits could help courts handle caseloads faster, since more judges can hear more trials and other matters. County governments in the affected circuits will also share the cost of paying and housing the new judges alongside the state.

• Section 1-1 amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to raise the judge counts for the Atlanta, Clayton, and Middle circuits to 21, 6, and 3 respectively.
• Section 1-3 sets the initial appointed term for the new Atlanta, Clayton, and Middle circuit judges from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2028, followed by election in 2028.
• Section 1-7 creates a method for electing the Middle Judicial Circuit's chief judge by majority vote, with a two year term.
• Sections 2-1 and 2-2 raise the Northeastern Judicial Circuit's judge count to six and add an appointed judge on the same schedule.
• Sections 3-1 through 3-2 raise the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit's judge count to twelve and add an appointed judge on the same schedule.
• Section 3-7 sets up chief judge selection for the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit and states the sitting chief judge finishes out their current term.
• Sections 1-10, 2-9, and 3-10 let each affected circuit appoint one additional court reporter.
• Section 4-1 makes the appointment authority effective upon the Governor's signature, with all other provisions effective January 1, 2027.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 450
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-04-02House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2026-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2026-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

• Butch Parrish (R, HD-158)Primary sponsor
• Mack Jackson (D, HD-128)
• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
• Brian Prince (D, HD-132)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 9, 2026

   164 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #485

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   28 yea, 20 nay (1 not voting, 5 absent)

   Adoption Of The Amendment By The Sen From The 39th As Amended: Senate Vote #882

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   47 yea, 3 nay (0 not voting, 4 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #883

4. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2026

   172 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 2 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #837

• superior courts
• judicial appointments
• Middle Judicial Circuit
• Gwinnett Judicial Circuit
• court staffing