GA HB56

Increases the number of superior court judges in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit from 3 to 4 by adding one additional judge

The additional judge shall be appointed by the Governor for a term beginning January 1, 2023, and expiring December 31, 2024, with a successor to be elected at the 2024 nonpartisan judicial election for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2025

The additional judge receives the same compensation, salary, expense allowance, and county salary supplements as the existing judges of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, paid by both the State of Georgia and the county

All four judges share equal jurisdiction and authority, with the senior judge in point of service designated as chief judge to resolve any disagreements on work allocation that cannot be settled by majority vote

The governing authority of the county comprising the circuit is required to provide courtrooms, facilities, office space, equipment, supplies, and personnel for the judges, with an additional court reporter authorized for the circuit