HB 1534 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Chatham County; State Court; provide additional judge

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the State Court of Chatham County, approved December 18, 1819 (Ga. L. 1819, p. 16), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 30, 2003 (Ga. L. 2003, p. 3667), so as to provide for an additional judge of the State Court of Chatham County; to provide for the election, powers, duties, jurisdiction, privileges, immunities, and compensation of such additional judge; to authorize the governing authority of Chatham County to provide facilities, office space, supplies, equipment, and personnel for such judge; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Mar 9, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC 47 4054/a → HB 1534/AP* · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated to reflect its passage in both legislative chambers and removed the original sponsors who are no longer listed. The most significant policy change is the shift in how the fourth judge for the State Court of Chatham County will be selected: the original version called for an election in 2028, while the new version mandates an appointment by the Governor for a temporary term ending in 2028, followed by a subsequent election. Additionally, the effective date for having four judges was moved forward from January 1, 2029, to January 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the appointment method for the additional judge changed from a direct election to a gubernatorial appointment followed by an election.

TIMELINE

The effective date for establishing four judges on the State Court of Chatham County was advanced from January 1, 2029, to January 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

The method for selecting the fourth judge was changed from being elected by voters in 2028 to being appointed by the Governor for a term ending December 31, 2028, before a successor is elected.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated to indicate it has passed both the House and Senate, and the list of original sponsors was revised to exclude Representative Westbrook.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

43–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 47

Mar 25, 2026

D Democratic18

15 Yea 3

83% Yea

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 672

upper

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

House Date Signed by Governor

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Introduced

House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Committee

House Withdrawn, Recommitted

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Passed/Adopted

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Introduced

House Hopper

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors