GA HB722

Establishes a full-time chief judge position for the State Court of Bryan County, with the current judge becoming chief judge and retaining administrative responsibility for budgeting, scheduling, and court policies

Creates a new part-time associate judge position; the associate judge is prohibited from practicing law in the State Court of Bryan County

Governor will appoint the initial associate judge for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028; subsequent associate judges will be elected in 2028 for four-year terms beginning January 1, 2029

Compensation for both judges will be set by local act of the Bryan County governing authority, with the county authorized to supplement salaries; all expenditures are payable from the county treasury

Both judges must meet qualifications and are subject to restrictions and discipline under Chapter 7 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated