HB 1461: Muscogee County; Superior Court; salary of the clerk of superior court and the chief deputy clerk; change provisions

This bill amends a 1952 law that sets pay for the clerk of the Superior Court of Muscogee County. Under the bill, the clerk's salary would be set at not less than 80 percent of the base salary paid to superior court judges in Muscogee County, paid from county funds. The bill also updates the pay rule for the chief deputy clerk, a position appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the clerk. The chief deputy clerk's salary would be set by the clerk but must be at least 65 percent of the superior court judges' base salary, also paid from county funds. The changes would take effect on the first day of the month after the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law.

• Sets the Muscogee County superior court clerk's salary at not less than 80 percent of the base salary paid to superior court judges in that county.
• Sets the chief deputy clerk's salary at not less than 65 percent of the superior court judges' base salary, with the exact amount fixed by the clerk.
• Requires both salaries to be paid from Muscogee County funds rather than any other source.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with these new salary provisions.
• Sets the effective date as the first day of the month following the bill's approval by the Governor or its becoming law without approval.

The clerk of the Superior Court of Muscogee County and the chief deputy clerk position are directly affected, along with Muscogee County government, which pays both salaries out of county funds, and superior court judges, whose base pay serves as the benchmark for the clerks' salaries.

The change ties two county courthouse salaries to a percentage of judicial pay rather than a fixed dollar figure, meaning the clerk's and chief deputy clerk's pay would automatically shift whenever superior court judges' base salary changes, affecting Muscogee County's budget and courthouse staffing costs.

• Section 1 revises the 1952 compensation act to set the clerk's salary at not less than 80 percent of superior court judges' base salary in Muscogee County, paid from county funds.
• Section 2 revises the chief deputy clerk provision, keeping the position appointed by and serving at the clerk's pleasure, and setting a minimum salary of 65 percent of judges' base salary.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as the first day of the month following the Governor's approval or the bill becoming law without approval.
• Section 4 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-19Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
2. 2026-03-18House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2026-03-18House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-03-18House Committee Favorably Reported (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-03-03House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2026-02-26House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2026-02-25House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)Patrocinador principal
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes18 de marzo de 2026

   161 a favor, 2 en contra (7 sin votar, 6 ausentes)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #712

• Muscogee County government
• court clerk pay
• local legislation
• county salaries