HB1588: HB1588 Cobb County; salaries of chief deputy sheriff, assistant chief deputy sheriff, and executive assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff; provide

Under current Cobb County law dating to 1949, the salaries of certain top sheriff's office positions are effectively set through the county's compensation system. This bill amends that 1949 Act so that the sheriff of Cobb County, rather than another authority, determines the salaries of the chief deputy sheriff, the assistant chief deputy sheriff, and the executive assistant to the sheriff. The bill keeps a check on that power: any salary increase for these positions must still be approved by both the sheriff and the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. The bill also keeps in place existing qualification requirements for these roles and confirms that these employees remain eligible for cost-of-living or merit raises approved by the county for its employees generally. It repeals any conflicting laws.

• Gives the Cobb County sheriff authority to determine the salary of the chief deputy sheriff, paid monthly from county funds.
• Gives the sheriff authority to determine the salary of the assistant chief deputy sheriff, a position created under this Act.
• Gives the sheriff authority to determine the salary of the executive assistant to the sheriff, another position created under this Act.
• Requires that any salary increase for these three positions be approved by both the sheriff and the Cobb County Board of Commissioners.
• Confirms these employees can still receive cost-of-living or merit raises approved by the county's governing authority for its employees.

The bill directly affects the Cobb County sheriff, the chief deputy sheriff, the assistant chief deputy sheriff, and the executive assistant to the sheriff. It also affects the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, which retains approval power over salary increases for these roles.

The change shifts day-to-day salary-setting power for three key sheriff's office positions to the sheriff, rather than leaving it entirely to the county's compensation process, while keeping the county commission's sign-off required for any raises.

• Section 1 revises subsections (b) through (d) of Section 5 of the 1949 Act to give the sheriff authority to set salaries for the chief deputy, assistant chief deputy, and executive assistant.
• Subsection (b) keeps the requirement that the chief deputy have the same qualifications as the sheriff and can temporarily fill a vacancy in the sheriff's office.
• Subsection (c) keeps existing minimum qualifications for the assistant chief deputy, such as a high school education plus law enforcement training or experience.
• Subsection (d) lets the sheriff set qualifications for the executive assistant position as he or she deems necessary.
• A new subsection (e) confirms these employees, along with other deputies, remain eligible for county-approved cost-of-living or merit increases.
• Section 2 repeals any laws in conflict with the Act.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-05-12
2. 2026-05-12Act 689
3. 2026-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-04-02Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-03-27Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-03-27House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Terry Cummings (D, HD-039)Primary sponsor
• David Wilkerson (D, HD-038)
• Michael Smith (D, HD-041)
• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)
• Solomon Adesanya (D, HD-043)
• Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-042)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 27, 2026

   153 yea, 0 nay (20 not voting, 3 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #772

2. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2026

   49 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927

• Cobb County government
• sheriff's office salaries
• local legislation
• county employee pay