25 LC 47 3316
House Bill 482
By: Representatives Kelley of the 16
th
, Silcox of the 53
rd
, Evans of the 57
th
, and Smith of the
18
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
1
relating to general provisions regarding superior courts, so as to provide for superior court2
judicial officers in certain judicial circuits; to provide for the appointment, qualifications,3
terms, duties, and employment status of such judicial officers; to provide for related matters;4
to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
SECTION 1.7
Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to8
general provisions regarding superior courts, is amended by adding a new Code section to9
read as follows:10
"15-6-37.
11
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any judicial circuit of this state with 1512
or more judges of the superior court, as provided for in Code Section 15-6-2, the governing13
authorities of the counties that make up such circuit are authorized to provide funding for14
up to five judicial officers to serve in the superior courts of such circuit.15
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(b) In the event that a county or counties provide funding for judicial officers as provided16
for in subsection (a) of this Code section, the chief judge of the circuit, after consulting17
with a majority of the superior court judges in such circuit, may appoint qualified18
individuals as judicial officers in the superior courts of such circuit. Judicial officers shall19
have all of the qualifications provided for in Code Section 15-6-4 for superior court judges;20
provided, however, that such judicial officers shall not be elected.21
(c) Judicial officers appointed pursuant to this Code section shall have all powers and22
duties of a judge of the superior court; provided, however, that judicial officers shall not23
preside over any case or matter related to a serious violent felony as such term is defined24
in Code Section 17-10-6.1, and provided, further, that the chief judge of a circuit, after25
consulting with a majority of the superior court judges in such circuit, may place such26
additional limitations on the use of such judicial officers in the circuit.27
(d) Judicial officers appointed pursuant to this Code section shall be appointed to terms28
not to exceed two years; provided, however, that a judicial officer may be reappointed to29
succeed himself or herself.30
(e) Judicial officers appointed pursuant to this Code section shall be employees of the31
county or counties that make up the judicial circuit in which they are appointed. Such32
judicial officers shall not be considered state employees for any reason, and the counties33
that make up such circuit shall be responsible for the compensation, benefits, travel, and34
other expenses for such judicial officers."35
SECTION 2.36
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.37
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