HB 1215 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Middle Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for a third judge

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the number of judges of superior courts, so as to provide for a third judge of the superior courts of the Middle Judicial Circuit; to provide for the appointment and term of such additional judge by the Governor; to authorize the governing authority of the counties comprising the Middle Judicial Circuit to provide facilities, office space, supplies, equipment, and personnel for such judges; to declare inherent authority; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Signed May 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC 49 2605/a HB 1215/AP* · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was expanded from adding a single judge to the Middle Judicial Circuit to adding judges to three circuits: Atlanta, Clayton, and Middle. This change increases the total number of superior court judges across the state to address workload demands in multiple regions, not just one.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a single judicial circuit (Middle) to include three circuits (Atlanta, Clayton, and Middle), thereby increasing the number of judges in each of these circuits.
SCOPE

The bill now authorizes the addition of judges to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit (21st judge), Clayton Judicial Circuit (6th judge), and Middle Judicial Circuit (3rd judge), whereas it previously only addressed the Middle Circuit.

REQUIREMENT

Provisions regarding the appointment terms, election of successors, and compensation for new judges were updated to apply to all three circuits rather than just the Middle Circuit.

New authority was granted for the selection of chief judges in both the Middle and Gwinnett Judicial Circuits, expanding the previous mandate which only covered the Middle Circuit.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2026 · House Feb 9, 2026

How they voted

403
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 47
Mar 31, 2026
D Democratic18
15 Yea 3
83% Yea
R Republican29
25 Yea 3 Nay 1
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
Act 450
upper
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors