HB1365: HB1365 Atlanta Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide twenty-first judge

26 LC 47 9009 House Bill 1365 By: Representatives Jones of the 25th, Silcox of the 53rd, Martin of the 49th, Jones of the 47th, Evans of the 57th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia An notated, relating to the1 number of judges of superior courts, so as to provide for a twenty-first judge of the superior2 courts of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit; to provide for the appointment of such additional judge3 by the Governor; to provide for the election of successors to the judge initially appointed; to4 prescribe the powers of such judge; to provide for the powers and duties of such additional5 judge; to preserve existing local A cts regarding such judicial circuit; to provide for the6 compensation of such additional judge; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective7 date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9 SECTION 1.10 Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the number of11 judges of superior courts, is amended by revising paragraph (3) as follows:12 "( 3 ) A t l a n t a C i r c u i t ...............................................2 0 21"13 H. B. 1365 - 1 - 26 LC 47 9009 SECTION 2.14 An additional judge of th e superior court is added to the Atlan ta Judicial Circuit, thereby15 increasing to 21 the number of judges of said circuit.16 SECTION 3.17 The additional judge of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit appointed pursuant to this Act shall be18 appointed by the Governor for a term beginning January 1, 2027, and expiring19 December 31, 2028, and until a successor is elected and qualified. A successor to the initial20 judge shall be elected in a manner provided by law for the election of judges of the superior21 courts of this state at the nonpartisan general election in 202 8, for a term of four years22 beginning on January 1, 2029, and until the election and qualification of a successor. Future23 successors shall be elected at the general election each four years thereafter for terms of four24 years and until the election and qualification of a successor. The successor shall take office25 on the first day of January following the date of the election. Such elections shall be held26 and conducted in a manner provided by law for the election of judges of the superior courts27 of this state.28 SECTION 4.29 Said additional judge of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit shall have and may exercise all powers,30 duties, dignity, jurisdiction, privileges, and immunities of the present judges of the superior31 courts of this state. Any of the judges of the superior court of said circuit may preside over32 any case therein and perform any official act as judge thereof. The additional judge is33 authorized to employ court personnel on the same basis as other judges of the Atlanta34 Judicial Circuit.35 H. B. 1365 - 2 - 26 LC 47 9009 SECTION 5.36 Except as expressly stated, this Act shall not be construed to alter or repeal any provision of37 any local Act relating to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to38 limit or restrict the inherent powers, duties, and responsibili ties of superior court judges39 provided by the Constitution and statutes of the State of Georgia.40 SECTION 6.41 The compensation, salary, and contingent expense allowance of said additional judge of the42 Atlanta Judicial Circuit shall be the same as that of the other judges of the superior court of43 the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Any salary supplements or locality pay provided by the county44 of said circuit shall also be applicable to the additional judge provided for in this Act. 45 SECTION 7.46 This Act shall become effective for the purposes of appointing the additional judge upon its47 approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval and for all other48 purposes on January 1, 2027.49 SECTION 8.50 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.51 H. B. 1365 - 3 -