GA HB85

Superior court judge salaries will be set by the General Assembly in the General Appropriations Act, capped at 90% of the federal district court judge salary for the Northern District of Georgia from two fiscal years prior

Judges in office on July 1, 2025, may opt into the new compensation system or retain their existing salary structure including county supplements; the choice is irrevocable once made

Counties may provide "locality pay" to judges up to the lesser of 10% of the state salary or $20,106 annually, replacing most county salary supplements; this cap gradually decreases as state salaries exceed $201,060

Local laws tying other officials' compensation to superior court judge salaries are suspended as of July 1, 2025, to prevent automatic pay increases for those positions; the suspension lifts for judges on July 1, 2026

Chief judge supplements authorized before July 1, 2025, may continue but cannot be enacted or increased; existing fringe benefits and retirement rights are preserved