SB 88: Douglas Judicial Circuit; a fourth judge of the superior courts; provide

The Douglas Judicial Circuit currently has three superior court judges. This bill amends Georgia's law on the number of superior court judges (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) to add a fourth judgeship to that circuit, which covers Douglas County's superior courts. The Governor would appoint the new judge for a term starting January 1, 2026 and running through December 31, 2028. After that, the seat would be filled through the state's regular nonpartisan judicial elections, with terms of four years. The bill gives the new judge the same powers, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's other judges, lets the circuit's judges divide up casework and jury duties among themselves, allows hiring an additional court reporter, and lets Douglas Circuit counties provide office space and staff for the expanded court.

• Adds a fourth superior court judgeship to the Douglas Judicial Circuit by changing the judge count in Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2) from three to four.
• Has the Governor appoint the new judge for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, with a successor chosen by nonpartisan election in 2028.
• Gives the new judge the same powers, jurisdiction, pay, and qualifications as the circuit's current superior court judges.
• Allows the circuit's judges to split up trial, jury, and administrative duties among themselves and lets a majority (or the chief judge, if tied) settle disagreements.
• Authorizes the judges to appoint an additional court reporter for the circuit, paid as provided by law.
• Allows the counties in the Douglas Judicial Circuit to supply courtrooms, office space, equipment, supplies, and staff for the added judge as a court expense.

Residents and litigants in the Douglas Judicial Circuit, the sitting and future superior court judges there, the Governor (who makes the initial appointment), county governments in the circuit that fund and staff the courts, and court staff such as reporters and jury administrators.

Adding a fourth judge could help the Douglas Judicial Circuit handle its caseload faster by spreading trials, hearings, and jury duties across more judges. It also creates a new elected judicial office that voters in the circuit will eventually fill through nonpartisan elections starting in 2028.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 15-6-2 to raise the Douglas Circuit's judge count from three to four.
• Section 3 sets the initial judge's term as a gubernatorial appointment from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, with successors elected every four years starting in 2028.
• Section 4 gives the new judge the same powers, jurisdiction, and privileges as other superior court judges statewide, including the ability to preside in other circuits.
• Section 5 sets the new judge's qualifications, compensation, and salary supplementation the same as the circuit's other judges.
• Section 7 lets the circuit's judges divide their workload and settle disputes over case assignments by majority vote or the chief judge's decision.
• Section 9 authorizes the circuit to appoint an additional court reporter.
• Section 11 allows county governments in the circuit to provide courtrooms, office space, equipment, and personnel as a court expense paid from county funds.

1. 2025-04-30Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-04-30Act 25
3. 2025-04-30Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senado)
4. 2025-04-07Senate Sent to Governor (Senado)
5. 2025-03-18House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2025-03-18House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2025-03-13House Committee Favorably Reported (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2025-03-04House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)

• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)Patrocinador principal
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Kimberly New (R, HD-040)

1. AprobadaVotación: Senado28 de febrero de 2025

   48 a favor, 6 en contra (0 sin votar, 2 ausentes)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #108

2. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes18 de marzo de 2025

   171 a favor, 0 en contra (4 sin votar, 5 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #281

• Douglas County courts
• judicial appointments
• superior court judges
• Georgia judiciary
• court staffing