HB1534: HB1534 Chatham County; State Court; provide additional judge

The State Court of Chatham County currently has three judges under a law that traces back to an 1819 act, most recently amended in 2003. This bill rewrites that section to add a fourth judgeship effective January 1, 2027. Until that date, the court keeps its current three judges, who continue serving out their existing terms. Starting January 1, 2027, the Governor will appoint the fourth judge to an initial term ending December 31, 2028. After that, Chatham County voters will elect a successor at the 2028 general primary, and that elected judge will serve a regular four-year term. The new judge has the same powers, duties, and pay as the other judges, and Chatham County's governing authority is authorized to provide courtroom space, office space, equipment, supplies, and staff for the position, paid out of county funds.

• Adds a fourth judge to the State Court of Chatham County, effective January 1, 2027, increasing the court from three judges to four.
• Has the Governor appoint the first fourth judge to a term running until December 31, 2028, rather than through election.
• Sets up a 2028 general primary election for Chatham County voters to choose that judge's elected successor, who then serves a four-year term.
• Gives the new judge the same powers, jurisdiction, privileges, immunities, and pay as the court's existing judges.
• Authorizes Chatham County's governing authority to pay for courtroom space, office space, equipment, supplies, and personnel for the new judge out of the county treasury.

Chatham County residents and litigants who use the State Court of Chatham County, the county's governing authority which must fund and provide facilities for the new judge, the Governor who makes the initial appointment, and Chatham County voters who will elect the judge's successor in 2028.

Adding a fourth judge could speed up case processing in a busy county court by spreading the caseload across more judges, while shifting some cost and administrative responsibility for courtroom space and staff onto Chatham County's government and taxpayers.

• Section 1 revises Section 2A of the original 1819 Act (as amended in 2003) governing the State Court of Chatham County.
• Until January 1, 2027, the court keeps its current three judges, who finish their existing terms.
• Starting January 1, 2027, a fourth judge is added; the Governor appoints that judge to an initial term ending December 31, 2028.
• The fourth judge's elected successor will be chosen by Chatham County voters at the 2028 general primary and will serve a four-year term.
• The fourth judge has the same powers, duties, jurisdiction, and compensation as the other State Court judges.
• Chatham County's governing authority may furnish courtroom space, office space, equipment, supplies, and personnel for the additional judge, paid from the county treasury.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-05-12
2. 2026-05-12Act 672
3. 2026-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-04-02House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2026-04-02House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
7. 2026-03-25Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
8. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)

• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)Primary sponsor
• Jesse Petrea (R, HD-166)
• Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)
• Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2026

   161 yea, 2 nay (7 not voting, 6 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #712

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 25, 2026

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

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #799

3. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2026

   101 yea, 69 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Supplemental Local Calendar #2: House Vote #871

• Chatham County courts
• state court judges
• local legislation
• Georgia judiciary