HB 1020 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Judicial Retirement System; payment of monthly retirement benefits for creditable service as a district attorney at the age of 65 years; provide

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 23 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Judicial Retirement System, so as to provide for the payment of monthly retirement benefits for creditable service as a district attorney at the age of 65 years; to provide for calculation of benefits for individuals who first become members after the effective date of this Act; to provide for calculation of survivors benefits; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 56 0573S/hcs → HB 1020/AP* · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as passed by both legislative chambers, shifting its focus from judicial retirement benefits to a comprehensive reform of district attorney compensation. The new version replaces the previous retirement-centric text with provisions that establish a new state salary structure, offer district attorneys an optional choice to switch to this new pay scale, and include grandfathering clauses to protect current salaries.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from amending the Georgia Judicial Retirement System to amending general provisions regarding prosecuting attorneys and their compensation.

SCOPE

The bill now targets the compensation of district attorneys rather than focusing on retirement benefits for judicial officers.

TIMELINE

New provisions establish July 1, 2026, as a key date for determining eligibility for the new compensation options and salary protections.

ELIGIBILITY

District attorneys currently in office on July 1, 2026, are given an irrevocable option to switch to a new state salary structure by January 1, 2030.

FISCAL

The act authorizes counties to provide locality pay to district attorneys instead of traditional county salary supplements.

REQUIREMENT

The bill now includes specific rules regarding the private practice of law for district attorneys receiving state salaries.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2026 · House Feb 19, 2026

How they voted

29–15

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 47

Mar 23, 2026

D Democratic18

1 Yea 15 Nay 2

83% Nay

R Republican29

28 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Act 716

upper

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

House Date Signed by Governor

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Introduced

House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Senate Recommitted

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Introduced

House Hopper

lower

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors