Legislation will add judge to circuit

Legislation that would pave the way for a fourth Superior Court judge in Henry County made it successfully through both houses of the Georgia General Assembly when the lawmakers reconvened after a COVID19 shutdown.

House Bill 786, sponsored by the county’s legislative delegation, passed the State Senate June 24 after being modified to include a request for one new judge in each of three circuits. That bill passed the State House in its amended form June 26, and it was sent to Gov. Brian Kemp on June 30, according to the state’s website. The portion of the bill referring specifically to the Flint Judicial Circuit, which is Henry County, states one additional judge will be added to increase the total number to four.

That judge will be appointed by Kemp for a term beginning Jan. 1, 2022. The term will expire Dec. 31, 2024, with all subsequent judges for that seat being determined by nonpartisan election for four-year terms.