Alapaha Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide for an additional judge
Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the number of judges of superior courts, so as to provide for an additional judge of the superior courts of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit; to provide for the appointment and term of such additional judge by the Governor; 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
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
LC 48 1425S/hcs
→
HB 55/AP*
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill changed the start date for the new judge's term from July 1, 2026 to January 1, 2026, and added a line to Section 3 clarifying how candidates run for office when there is no incumbent judge. These changes adjust when the new judicial position becomes active and provide clearer guidance for future elections.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains the same, but the effective date for the new judge's appointment was moved up by six months.
TIMELINE
The additional judge's term now begins on January 1, 2026 instead of July 1, 2026, allowing the judge to take office six months earlier.
REQUIREMENT
Section 3 was updated to clarify that candidates run for office by announcing their intention when there is no incumbent judge in the seat.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House Feb 12, 2025
How they voted
50–1
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 55
Mar 20, 2025
D
Democratic22
86% Yea
R
Republican33
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
7
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Act 171
upper
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Jan 30, 2025
Committee
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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