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

26 HB 1534/AP House Bill 1534 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Stephens of the 164 th, Petrea of the 166 th, Jackson of the 165 th, and Hitchens of the 161st A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend an Act creating the State Court of Chatham County, approved December 18, 18191 (Ga. L. 1819, p. 16), as amended, particularly by an Act approv ed May 30, 2003 (Ga. L.2 2003, p. 3667), so as to provide for an additional judge of the State Court of Chatham3 County; to provide for the election, powers, duties, jurisdiction, privileges, immunities, and4 compensation of said additional judge; to authorize the governi ng authority of Chatham5 County to provide facilities, office space, supplies, equipment, and personnel for said judge;6 to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 An Act creating the State Court of Chatham County, approved December 18, 1819 (Ga. L.10 1819, p. 16), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 3 0, 2003 (Ga. L. 2003, p.11 3667) is amended by revising Section 2A as follows:12 H. B. 1534 - 1 - 26 HB 1534/AP "SECTION 2A.13 (a) Until January 1, 2027, there shall be three judges of the State Court of Chatham14 County, as provided by existing law. The judges of said court in office prior to January 1,15 2027, shall continue to serve the terms of office to which they were elected or appointed16 and until their successors are elected and qualified.17 (b) Effective January 1, 2027, there shall be four judges of t he State Court of Chatham18 County. The fourth judge added effective January 1, 2027, shall be appointed by the19 Governor for an initial term of office ending on December 31, 2 028, and until his or her20 successor is elected and qualified. The successor to said judg e shall be elected by the21 qualified voters of Chatham County at an election to be held and conducted jointly with the22 general primary in 2028. The judge so elected shall serve a four-year term and until such23 judge's successor is elected and qualified.24 (c) The fourth judge of the State Court of Chatham County shall have and may exercise25 all powers, duties, jurisdictions, privileges, and immunities o f the present judges of the26 State Court of Chatham County. Any of the judges of said court may preside over any27 cause and perform any official act as judge thereof. The compe nsation of the additional28 judge shall be the same as that provided for other judges of th e State Court of Chatham29 County. Upon request of the additional judge, the governing authority of Chatham County30 is authorized to furnish the additional judge with suitable courtroom space and facilities,31 office space, office equipment, supplies, and such personnel as may be considered32 necessary by the court to the proper function of the court. Al l of the expenditures33 authorized herein are declared to be an expense of court and pa yable out of the county34 treasury as such."35 SECTION 2.36 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.37 H. B. 1534 - 2 -