HB 1215: Middle Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for a third judge

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) sets a fixed number of superior court judges for each judicial circuit in the state. This bill increases that number for 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. The Governor would appoint each new judge to serve from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. After that, each seat becomes an elected position, filled at the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election for a four-year term starting January 1, 2029, and every four years after that. The bill also sets how the judges in the Middle and Gwinnett circuits choose a chief judge, lets circuit judges split up caseloads and jury duties, allows each circuit to hire an extra court reporter, and lets county governments provide courtroom space and staff for the new judges. Most provisions take full effect January 1, 2027, though the appointment process can begin once the Governor signs the bill.

• Adds one new superior court judgeship each to the Atlanta, Clayton, Middle, Northeastern, and Gwinnett Judicial Circuits, changing the totals in O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2.
• Directs the Governor to appoint each new judge for a term running from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028.
• Requires the new judgeships to become elected offices starting with the 2028 nonpartisan judicial election, with four-year terms beginning January 1, 2029.
• Sets up a chief judge election process for the Middle Judicial Circuit and the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, with two-year terms decided by majority vote of the circuit's judges.
• Authorizes each affected circuit to appoint an additional court reporter and lets county governments supply courtrooms, office space, and staff for the new judges.
• Sets the effective date as January 1, 2027 for most purposes, though the Governor can begin the appointment process as soon as the bill is signed.

The bill affects superior court judges, litigants, and court staff in the Atlanta, Clayton, Middle, Northeastern, and Gwinnett Judicial Circuits, the Governor's office (which makes the appointments), voters in those circuits (who will elect successors), and the county governments that fund courtroom facilities and staff.

Adding judges to these five circuits means more judicial capacity to hear cases, which can affect how quickly civil and criminal cases move through court. Local governments in the affected counties would also take on new costs for courtroom space, equipment, and staff to support the additional judges.

• Section 1-1 (Part I) amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to raise the judge counts for the Atlanta Circuit (20 to 21), Clayton Circuit (5 to 6), and Middle Circuit (2 to 3).
• Sections 1-3 and 1-7 set the appointment term (January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2028) for the new judges and create a chief judge election process for the Middle Circuit.
• Section 2-1 (Part II) raises the Northeastern Circuit's judge count from 5 to 6, with the same appointment and election timeline as Part I.
• Section 3-1 (Part III) raises the Gwinnett Circuit's judge count from 11 to 12 and Section 3-7 sets up a chief judge election process for that circuit.
• Sections 1-10, 2-9, and 3-10 authorize each of the five circuits to appoint an additional court reporter.
• Sections 1-12, 2-11, and 3-12 let county governing authorities furnish courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel for the new judges, paid from the county treasury.
• Section 4-1 sets the effective date: appointments can begin upon the Governor's approval, but all other provisions take effect January 1, 2027.

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

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

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes9 de febrero de 2026

   164 a favor, 0 en contra (4 sin votar, 7 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #485

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado31 de marzo de 2026

   28 a favor, 20 en contra (1 sin votar, 5 ausentes)

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

3. AprobadaVotación: Senado31 de marzo de 2026

   47 a favor, 3 en contra (0 sin votar, 4 ausentes)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #883

4. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes2 de abril de 2026

   172 a favor, 0 en contra (2 sin votar, 2 ausentes)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #837

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