HB 304: Local government; Georgia Municipal Court Clerks' Council; create

Georgia law already has a Council of Municipal Court Judges. This bill amends that law and adds two new things. First, it creates the office of 'senior municipal court judge,' a status former municipal court judges can apply for if they served at least ten years and meet certain licensing and training conditions. Senior judges get the same amenities and privileges as active judges but are not required to actually sit on a court. Second, the bill creates the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks' Council, made up of municipal court staff (the clerks and support staff who run day-to-day court administration) from every municipal court in the state. The council can organize itself, adopt bylaws, elect officers, accept outside funding, and hire staff. It is officially a state agency, and its purpose is to support training and professional development for municipal court staff. The bill repeals conflicting laws and does not list a delayed effective date beyond standard enactment.

• Creates the office of senior municipal court judge for former judges with at least ten years of service who meet licensing, bar membership, and training conditions.
• Requires the president of the Council of Municipal Court Judges to review applications for senior judge status and decide within 30 days.
• Exempts senior judges from paying support or registration fees for mandatory training, though they still pay other training costs.
• Creates the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks' Council, composed of municipal court staff statewide, as a legal state agency that can own property, accept gifts and grants, and hire personnel.
• Adds the senior municipal court judges to the existing Council of Municipal Court Judges of Georgia's membership.
• Preserves any existing local laws or ordinances that already set up senior judge positions for specific municipal courts.

Former and current municipal court judges across Georgia, the existing Council of Municipal Court Judges, and municipal court clerks and administrative staff statewide, who would gain a new statewide council to represent and train them.

Retired judges who meet the experience and licensing requirements could keep an honorary 'senior judge' role with associated privileges without needing to actively hear cases. Municipal court clerks and staff, who currently lack a dedicated statewide body, would gain an organized council to coordinate training and represent their interests.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 36-32-40 to add senior municipal court judges to the membership of the Council of Municipal Court Judges of Georgia.
• Section 2 adds new Code Section 36-32-42 creating the senior municipal court judge office, application process, and 30-day decision requirement for the council president.
• Section 2 also sets qualifications: at least ten years of prior service, current Georgia bar license and good standing, or an alternate path for judges not licensed to practice law.
• Section 2 states senior judges are exempt from paying training support or registration fees but must cover other training costs.
• Section 2 clarifies that senior judges are not required to sit on any court and that the new law does not override local ordinances already creating senior judge positions.
• Section 3 adds new Article 4 (Code Section 36-32-50) creating the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks' Council, defining 'municipal court staff' and setting its structure, purpose, and powers.
• Section 3 designates the council as a legal entity and state agency that can contract, own property, accept funds and gifts, and employ staff, funded through state appropriations and other sources.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-12Act 637
3. 2026-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-03-27House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2026-03-25Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senado)
7. 2026-03-25Senate Third Read (Senado)
8. 2026-03-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senado)

• Bill Yearta (R, HD-152)Patrocinador principal
• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)
• Stan Gunter (R, HD-008)
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)
• Matt Barton (R, HD-005)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes4 de marzo de 2025

   171 a favor, 2 en contra (3 sin votar, 4 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #161

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado25 de marzo de 2026

   51 a favor, 0 en contra (2 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #801

3. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes27 de marzo de 2026

   159 a favor, 2 en contra (4 sin votar, 11 ausentes)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #782

• municipal courts
• judicial retirement
• court administration
• local government
• court clerks