reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 2 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL (§§ 15-5-20 — 15-5-26) › Section 15-5-20 - Judicial Council of Georgia; powers and duties; membership

(a)
The Supreme Court shall create a Judicial Council of Georgia, which council shall have such powers, duties, and responsibilities as may be provided by law or as may be provided by rule of the Supreme Court.
(b)
Members of the council and their terms shall be as provided by the Supreme Court. The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the council.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 2 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL (§§ 15-5-20 — 15-5-26) › Section 15-5-21 - Promulgation of rules for transcripts and court reporters' fees

(a)
The Judicial Council shall promulgate rules and regulations which shall:
(1)
Provide for and set the fees to be charged by all official court reporters in this state for attending court, taking stenographic notes, and recording the evidence;
(2)
Provide for and set the fees to be charged by all official court reporters in this state for furnishing transcripts of the evidence and for other proceedings furnished by the official court reporters in all civil and criminal cases in this state;
(3)
Provide for a minimum per diem fee for official court reporters, which fee may be supplemented by the various counties within the circuits to which the court reporters are assigned; and
(4)
Provide for the form and style of the transcripts, which shall be uniform throughout the state.
(b)
The Judicial Council shall amend its rules and regulations providing for and setting the fees to be charged by all official court reporters whenever the council shall deem it necessary and proper.
(c)
This Code section shall not apply to those court reporters taking and furnishing transcripts of depositions or taking and furnishing transcripts of nonjudicial functions, nor to any independent contracts of any reporters.
(d)
A rule or regulation promulgated by the Judicial Council pursuant to this Code section shall not become effective unless that council provides to the chairperson of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, the chairperson of the Judiciary, Non-civil Committee of the House of Representatives, the chairperson of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, and the chairperson of the Special Judiciary Committee of the Senate, at least 30 days prior to the date that the council intends to adopt such rule or regulation, written notice which includes an exact copy of the proposed rule or regulation and the intended date of its adoption. After July 1, 1986, no rule or regulation adopted by the Judicial Council pursuant to this Code section shall be valid unless adopted in conformity with this subsection. A proceeding to contest any rule or regulation on the grounds of noncompliance with this subsection must be commenced within two years from the effective date of the rule or regulation.
Amended by 2010 Ga. Laws 624,§ 15, eff. 6/3/2010.
Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 74,§ 19, eff. 4/30/2009.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 2 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL (§§ 15-5-20 — 15-5-26) › Section 15-5-21.1 - Development and utilization of uniform misdemeanor citation and complaint form

The Judicial Council of Georgia shall develop a uniform misdemeanor citation and complaint form for use by all law enforcement officials who are empowered to arrest individuals for misdemeanors and local ordinance violations. Such form shall serve as the citation, summons, accusation, or other instrument of prosecution of the offense or offenses for which the accused is charged and as the record of the disposition of the matter by the court before which the accused is brought, and shall contain such other matter as the council shall provide. Each such form shall have a unique identifying number which shall serve as the docket number for the court having jurisdiction of the accused. The Judicial Council of Georgia shall promulgate rules for each class of court for the use of such citations.
Added by 2018 Ga. Laws 416,§ 2-1, eff. 7/1/2018.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 2 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL (§§ 15-5-20 — 15-5-26) › Section 15-5-22 - Administrative Office of the Courts

There is created the Administrative Office of the Courts, which shall serve as the staff for the Judicial Council.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 2 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL (§§ 15-5-20 — 15-5-26) › Section 15-5-23 - Director of Administrative Office of the Courts

The Judicial Council shall appoint a director of the Administrative Office of the Courts who shall serve at the pleasure of the Judicial Council. The director shall be the executive head of the Administrative Office of the Courts and shall perform such duties as provided in Code Section
15-5-24
or as may be delegated to him by the Judicial Council. The director shall devote his full time to his official duties. The director shall receive compensation and expenses as authorized by the Judicial Council. With the approval of the Judicial Council, the director shall appoint such assistants and clerical and secretarial employees as are necessary to enable him to perform his duties and shall fix their compensation.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 2 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL (§§ 15-5-20 — 15-5-26) › Section 15-5-24 - Duties of Administrative Office of the Courts

Under the supervision and direction of the Judicial Council, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall perform the following duties:
(1)
Consult with and assist judges, administrators, clerks of court, and other officers and employees of the court pertaining to matters relating to court administration and provide such services as are requested;
(2)
Examine the administrative and business methods and systems employed in the offices related to and serving the courts and make recommendations for necessary improvement;
(3)
Compile statistical and financial data and other information on the judicial work of the courts and on the work of other offices related to and serving the courts, which data and information shall be provided by the courts;
(4)
Analyze data relating to civil cases and on or before the first day of October each year provide such data, analysis, or both data and analysis to the courts and agencies of the judicial branch, agencies of the executive branch, and the chairpersons of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Judiciary;
(5)
Examine the state of the dockets and practices and procedures of the courts and make recommendations for the expedition of litigation;
(6)
Act as fiscal officer and prepare and submit budget estimates of state appropriations necessary for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system;
(7)
Formulate and submit recommendations for the improvement of the judicial system;
(8)
Perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the Judicial Council; and
(9)
Prepare and publish in print or electronically an annual report on the work of the courts and on the activities of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 240,§ 2-3, eff. 1/1/2018.
Amended by 2010 Ga. Laws 615,§ 10, eff. 6/3/2010.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 2 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL (§§ 15-5-20 — 15-5-26) › Section 15-5-25 - Effect of article on authority of courts

This article shall not be construed as limiting or affecting the authority of any court.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 2 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL (§§ 15-5-20 — 15-5-26) › Section 15-5-26 - Proposals for pilot programs involving nonuniform courts

(a)
Any proposal for a pilot program of limited duration involving courts which are not uniform within their classes, as authorized by Article VI, Section I, Paragraph X of the Constitution, shall be submitted to the Judicial Council for review and evaluation before it is considered by the General Assembly.
(b)
Such a proposal may be submitted by any of the following:
(1)
The Governor;
(2)
A member of the General Assembly;
(3)
The chief judge of one of the courts affected by such proposal; or
(4)
The governing authority of a county affected by such proposal.
(c)
Such a proposal shall be submitted to the Judicial Council during the year preceding the year in which a bill establishing a pilot program is considered by the General Assembly.
(d)
The Judicial Council shall adopt policies and procedures regarding the submission and evaluation of such proposals which shall set out, at a minimum, the form and contents of the submission, the recommended date for submission, and internal procedures for developing recommendations regarding proposals. The Judicial Council shall make copies of its policies and procedures regarding submissions available upon request to members of the General Assembly, members of the judiciary, county governing authorities, and the public.
(e)
The Judicial Council shall submit to the General Assembly a report evaluating each such proposal submitted and recommending adoption, adoption after modification, or rejection of each such proposal by the General Assembly. The Judicial Council shall provide the report or reports to the members of the General Assembly no later than December 31 of the year prior to consideration of a bill establishing any pilot projects in the General Assembly.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 3 - COURT DOCUMENTS (§ 15-5-40) › Section 15-5-40 - Letter-sized paper to be accepted

Any pleading or other document filed in any court of record may be prepared on letter-sized paper; and no clerk of any court of record shall refuse to accept for filing any pleading or other document for the reason that it is on letter-sized paper.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 4 - COURT COST OVERPAYMENTS (§ 15-5-50) › Section 15-5-50 - Minimum amount for refund

No court of record in this state shall be required to refund any overpayment of court costs in an amount not exceeding $5.00 or to collect any due court costs in an amount of less than $5.00 over the initial filing fee.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 5 - COUNCIL OF SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES (§ 15-5-60) › Section 15-5-60 - Contract for administrative functions, services, and equipment

The Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia shall be authorized to provide for or contract for administrative functions, services, and equipment necessary for the fulfillment of the responsibilities of the superior courts with funds appropriated or otherwise available for the operation of the superior courts of the state.
Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 564,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2008.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 6 - GEORGIA COURTS AUTOMATION COMMISSION (§§ 15-5-80 — 15-5-83) › Section 15-5-80 - Definitions

As used in this article, the term:
(1)
"Commission" means the Georgia Courts Automation Commission.
(2)
"Council" means the advisory council to the commission.
Added by 2005 Ga. Laws 19,§ 15, eff. 4/7/2005.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 6 - GEORGIA COURTS AUTOMATION COMMISSION (§§ 15-5-80 — 15-5-83) › Section 15-5-80.1 - Georgia Courts Automation Commission

(a)
There shall be a Georgia Courts Automation Commission. The commission created in this article shall be a successor to the Georgia Courts Automation Commission created by 1990 Resolution Act No. 98; HR 849; Ga. L. 1990, p. 979.
(b)
The commission shall consist of 11 members. One member shall be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia or his designee; and the remaining members shall be appointed by the Chief Justice as follows:
(1)
One Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia;
(2)
Three superior court judges;
(3)
One superior court clerk;
(4)
One state court judge;
(5)
One juvenile court judge;
(6)
One probate court judge;
(7)
One magistrate court judge; and
(8)
One municipal court judge.
All members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Justice.
(c)
The Chief Justice shall appoint the chairman of the commission, and the commission shall elect a vice chairman who shall preside in the absence of the chairman. The commission may elect such other officers as it deems advisable and shall establish such quorum, attendance, and other rules as it deems necessary for the most efficient operation of the commission. The commission may meet at such times and places within the state as the commission deems necessary.
(d)
All members of the commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses in carrying out their official duties in the same manner as other state officials and employees. Members of the commission who are state officials or employees shall be reimbursed for such expenses from funds of their respective state departments and agencies. All members of the commission who are not state officials or employees shall be reimbursed for such expenses from funds appropriated or otherwise available to the judicial branch of state government.
Renumbered from 15-5-80 and amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 19,§ 15, eff. 4/7/2005.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 6 - GEORGIA COURTS AUTOMATION COMMISSION (§§ 15-5-80 — 15-5-83) › Section 15-5-81 - Advisory council to commission

(a)
There shall be an advisory council to the Georgia Courts Automation Commission. The advisory council shall consist of the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or the director's designee, the commissioner of corrections or the commissioner's designee, the commissioner of community supervision or the commissioner's designee, the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's designee, the chairperson of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles or the chairperson's designee, the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or the director's designee, the director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council or the director's designee, the director of the Governor's Office for Children and Families or the director's designee, and the executive director of the Georgia Technology Authority or the executive director's designee.
(b)
The members of the advisory council shall be notified of and entitled to attend all meetings of the commission and shall be afforded an opportunity to review and comment on all proposed official actions of the commission other than actions relating solely to the internal organization and internal affairs of the commission.
(c)
All members of the advisory council shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses in carrying out their official duties in the same manner as other state officials and employees. Members of the advisory council who are state officials or employees shall be reimbursed for such expenses from funds of their respective state departments and agencies. All members of the advisory council who are not state officials or employees shall be reimbursed for such expenses from funds appropriated or otherwise available to the judicial branch of state government.
Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 73,§ 5-6, eff. 7/1/2015.
Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 564,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2008.
Amended by 2008 Ga. Laws 562,§ 10, eff. 7/1/2008.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 970, § 1, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 6 - GEORGIA COURTS AUTOMATION COMMISSION (§§ 15-5-80 — 15-5-83) › Section 15-5-83 - Commission assigned to Supreme Court; authority to receive and expend appropriations

(a)
The commission shall be assigned for administrative purposes to the Supreme Court, in the same manner as executive branch agencies are assigned to executive branch departments under Code Section
50-4-3
.
(b)
The commission is authorized to receive and expend such appropriations as may be expressly provided by the General Assembly together with such federal funds and other funds as may be made available from public or private sources.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 7 - GEORGIA COUNCIL OF COURT ADMINISTRATORS (§ 15-5-100) › Section 15-5-100 - Creation of Georgia Council of Court Administrators

(a)
As used in this Code section, the term "council" means the Georgia Council of Court Administrators.
(b)
There is created the Georgia Council of Court Administrators. The council shall be composed of the full-time court administrators and managers of all courts within this state. The council is authorized to organize itself and to develop a constitution and bylaws. The council is authorized to elect such officers, including an executive committee, as it shall deem advisable to carry out its duties and responsibilities. The council is authorized to appoint advisory committees and establish the membership and duties thereof. In addition to the full-time members of the council, the council is authorized to provide for special classes of nonvoting memberships for honorary members, students and teachers of court administration, and those persons who have retired from positions involving the administration and management of courts.
(c)
It shall be the purpose of the council to effectuate the responsibilities conferred upon it by law, to further the improvement of the courts and the administration of justice, to assist the court administrators and managers throughout the state in the execution of their duties, and to promote and assist in the training of court administrators, managers, and support personnel.
(d)
Expenses of the administration of the council shall be paid from state funds appropriated for that purpose, from federal funds available to the council for that purpose, or from other appropriate sources.
(e)
The council shall be a legal entity and an agency of the State of Georgia; shall have perpetual existence; may contract; may own property; may accept funds, grants, and gifts from any public or private source for use in defraying the expenses of the council; may adopt and use an official seal; may establish a principal office; may employ such administrative or clerical personnel as may be necessary and appropriate to fulfill its necessary duties; and shall have other powers, privileges, and duties as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper fulfillment of its purposes and duties.
Amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 19,§ 15, eff. 4/7/2005.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 8 - PROTECTED PERSONS (§§ 15-5-110 — 15-5-112) › Section 15-5-110 - [Effective 7/1/2025] [Definitions]

As used in this article, the term:
(1)
"Personally identifiable information" means any phone number or address affirmatively identified by a protected person for inclusion in the data base established and maintained pursuant to Code Section 15-5-111.
(2)
"Protected person" means any current or former:
(A)
Elected or appointed judge or justice of this state and his or her spouse;
(B)
Elected or appointed judge of any county or municipality of this state and his or her spouse; and
(C)
Appointed judge or justice of the United States and his or her spouse.
(3)
"Publicly available content" means any written or electronic document or record that provides information or that serves as a document or record maintained, controlled, or in the possession of a state or local government entity that may be obtained by any person from the internet or from such state or local government agency upon request whether free of charge or for a fee.
(4)
"Public posting or display" means to communicate information or otherwise make information available to the general public.
(5)
"State or local government entity" means any:
(A)
Agency of the executive branch of this state; or
(B)
Any local governing authority of a county or municipality of this state.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 584,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2025.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 8 - PROTECTED PERSONS (§§ 15-5-110 — 15-5-112) › Section 15-5-111 - [Effective 7/1/2025] [Method of obtaining information; database]

The Administrative Office of the Courts shall:
(1)
Establish a method for obtaining information from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts as necessary for purposes of this article;
(2)
Establish and maintain a data base of protected persons and personally identifiable information;
(3)
Develop and manage a process to regularly identify each state or local government entity that possesses personally identifiable information;
(4)
Establish a procedure for protected persons to submit phone numbers and addresses for inclusion in a data base as personally identifiable information to be restricted from publicly available content and public posting or display; and
(5)
Coordinate statewide training and information sharing related to security procedure and practices relative to the judicial branch of government.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 584,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2025.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS OF RECORD GENERALLY (§§ 15-5-1 — 15-5-112) › Article 8 - PROTECTED PERSONS (§§ 15-5-110 — 15-5-112) › Section 15-5-112 - [Effective 7/1/2025] [Notice; injunctive relief]

(a)
Within 30 days of receipt of written notice that a judge or justice of the United States, this state, or any county or municipality of this state has been elected or appointed, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide written notice to each state or local government entity determined by the Administrative Office of the Courts to possess personally identifiable information that directs such entity to restrict access to such personally identifiable information pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section.
(b)
Within 30 days of receipt of written notice that a judge or justice of the United States, this state, or any county or municipality of this state has resigned, retired, or been removed, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide written notice to each state or local government entity determined by the Administrative Office of the Courts to possess personally identifiable information that informs such entity that the restriction required pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section is no longer applicable.
(c)
Notwithstanding Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50 to the contrary, within 30 days of receipt of written notice from the Administrative Office of the Courts pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, a state or local government entity that has received such notice shall restrict personally identifiable information from publicly available content and public posting or display unless such entity has:
(1)
Obtained written consent from the protected person that his or her phone number and address may be made available to the general public; or
(2)
Received notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section that a judge or justice of the United States, this state, or any county or municipality thereof has resigned, retired, or been removed.
(d)
Any protected person may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any officer or employee of the state or local government entity in his or her individual capacity for failure to comply with subsection (c) of this Code section. Any relief granted by such action shall be limited to injunctive relief."
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 584,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2025.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-1 - Establishment

There shall be a state-wide business court as provided for in Article VI of the Constitution of this state to be known as the Georgia State-wide Business Court. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude a superior court from creating or continuing an existing business court division for its circuit on or after May 7, 2019, or preclude a state court from creating or continuing an existing business court division on or after May 7, 2019, in the manner provided by law.
Amended by 2020 Ga. Laws 521,§ 15, eff. 7/29/2020.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-5 - Filing fees; fees submitted to state treasury

(a)
The fee for filing a case with, or having a case transferred or removed to, the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be $3,000.00, to be paid by:
(1)
The party or parties filing the action in, or seeking transfer to, the Georgia State-wide Business Court under paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section
15-5A-4
; or
(2)
An equal allocation across all parties to an agreement seeking removal of the case to the Georgia State-wide Business Court under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section
15-5A-4
.
(b)
All fees collected by the clerk of the Georgia State-wide Business Court pursuant to this Code section shall be the property of the state, and the same shall be paid into the state treasury.
Amended by 2020 Ga. Laws 521,§ 15, eff. 7/29/2020.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-6 - Number of judges and divisions; operational date; qualifications for judge

(a)
The Georgia State-wide Business Court shall consist of one judge and one division.
(b)
The court shall commence operations on January 1, 2020, and may commence accepting cases on August 1, 2020.
(c)
No individual shall be a judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court unless, at the time of his or her appointment, he or she has:
(1)
Been a resident of this state and a citizen of the United States for at least seven years;
(2)
Been admitted to practice law in this state for at least seven years; and
(3)
At least 15 years of legal experience as an attorney or judge in complex business litigation, which experience shall be presumed by law as being met by virtue of appointment and approval under Code Section
15-5A-7
.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-7 - Appointment of judges; initial appointment and term; service area

(a)
The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to approval by a majority vote of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a majority vote of the House Committee on Judiciary. The Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Judiciary shall be authorized to meet jointly or separately, while in or out of a legislative session, as called in the discretion of each such chairperson, with notice provided by the chairpersons to such committee members, to consider the approval of such appointment.
(b)
(1)
The initial judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be appointed by July 1, 2019, and approved by December 31, 2019, or within three months of the Governor's appointment, whichever is later, and the judge shall serve an initial term beginning on August 1, 2020.
(2)
Beginning on January 1, 2020, such initial judge may perform the administrative duties required for establishing the Georgia State-wide Business Court and, if so, shall receive compensation as a judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court beginning on such date and for such purposes.
(3)
(A)
The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall serve for a term of five years and may be reappointed for any number of consecutive terms so long as he or she meets the qualifications of appointment at the time of each appointment and shall be reappointed and reapproved in the same manner as provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section.
(B)
Vacancies in the office of judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be filled by appointment and approval in the same manner as provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section.
(4)
The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be deemed to serve the geographical area of this state.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-8 - Judicial oath and supplemental oath

Before entering on the duties of his or her office, the judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall take the oath required of all civil officers in addition to the following oath:
"I swear that I will administer justice without respect to person and do equal rights to the poor and the rich and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court, according to the best of my ability and understanding, and agreeably to the laws and Constitution of this state and the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-9 - Salary and compensation of judges

(a)
(1)
The annual salary of the judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be as specified in Code Section
45-7-4
. Such salary shall be paid in equal monthly installments.
(2)
The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall receive expenses and allowances as provided for in Code Section
45-7-20
. If the judge resides 50 miles or more from where the Georgia State-wide Business Court sits, such judge shall also receive a mileage allowance for the use of a personal motor vehicle when devoted to official business as provided for in Code Section
50-19-7
, for not more than one round trip per calendar week to and from the judge's residence and where the Georgia State-wide Business Court sits by the most practical route, during each regular and extraordinary session of court. In the event the judge travels by public carrier for any part of a round trip as provided above, such judge shall receive a travel allowance of actual transportation costs for each such part in lieu of the mileage allowance. Transportation costs incurred by the judge for air travel to and from the judge's residence to where the Georgia State-wide Business Court sits shall be reimbursed only to the extent that such costs do not exceed the cost of travel by personal motor vehicle. All allowances provided for in this paragraph shall be paid upon the submission of proper vouchers.
(3)
If the judge resides 50 miles or more from where the Georgia State-wide Business Court sits, such judge shall also receive the same daily expense allowance as members of the General Assembly receive, as set forth in Code Section
28-1-8
, for not more than 35 days during each term of court. Such days shall be utilized only when official court business is being conducted. All allowances provided for in this paragraph shall be paid upon the submission of proper vouchers.
(b)
The salary provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section shall be the total compensation to be paid by the state to the judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court and shall be in lieu of any and all other amounts to be paid from state funds.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-10 - Authority to make rules and revisions; creation of panel for revisions; guidelines for acceptance of cases; required rules

(a)
The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall have responsibility for creating and, when needed, making revisions to the rules of the Georgia State-wide Business Court and submitting such rules and revisions to the Supreme Court for approval prior to such rules or revisions taking effect; provided, however, that such rules shall conform to Chapter 11 of Title 9, the "Georgia Civil Practice Act," where related and applicable.
(b)
The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court is authorized to empanel a commission of up to eight individuals, who may be judges, to assist the judge in the creation or revision of such rules; provided, however, that such individuals shall not receive compensation for being empaneled but may receive a daily expense allowance and travel cost reimbursement in the amount specified in Code Section
45-7-21
.
(c)
Such rules may include a matrix or guidelines for the acceptance of cases by the Georgia State-wide Business Court, including, but not limited to, such factors as the amount in controversy, the existence of novel or complex legal issues, and anticipated discovery issues needing the intervention of the Georgia State-wide Business Court.
(d)
Such rules shall include:
(1)
Guidelines and procedures for the filing of pleadings, petitions, motions, and all other documents, electronically or otherwise, with the Georgia State-wide Business Court; and
(2)
A reasonable time within which the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall issue a decision on a matter before the court.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-11 - Clerk; appointment; term; compensation

(a)
There shall be a clerk of the Georgia State-wide Business Court. Such clerk shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to approval by a majority vote of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a majority vote of the House Committee on Judiciary. The Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Judiciary shall be authorized to meet jointly or separately, while in or out of a legislative session, as called in the discretion of each such chairperson, with notice provided by the chairpersons to such committee members, to consider the approval of such appointment.
(b)
(1)
The initial clerk of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be appointed and approved by July 31, 2020, and shall serve an initial term beginning on August 1, 2020.
(2)
(A)
The clerk of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall serve for a term of five years and may be reappointed for any number of consecutive terms and shall be reappointed and reapproved in the same manner as provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section.
(B)
Vacancies in the office of clerk of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be filled by appointment of the Governor in the same manner as provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section.
(c)
The annual compensation of the clerk of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be equal to the annual compensation provided for the clerk of the Court of Appeals.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-12 - Location of offices; designation of electronic filing system

(a)
The offices of the judge and clerk of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall sit at the seat of government in Atlanta or shall sit in Macon-Bibb County pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section
15-5A-2
.
(b)
The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court, in coordination with the clerk of the Georgia State-wide Business Court, shall be responsible for designating an electronic filing system.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-13 - Appointment of law assistants; role

(a)
The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be authorized to appoint law assistants for the use of the court and to remove them at pleasure. Each law assistant of the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall have been admitted to the bar of this state as a practicing attorney; provided, however, that an individual who graduated from law school but who is not a member of the bar of this state may be appointed as a law assistant so long as he or she is admitted to the bar of this state within one year of such appointment.
(b)
It shall be the duty of a law assistant to attend all sessions of the court, if so ordered, and generally to perform the duties incident to the role of law assistant.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-14 - Employment and compensation of other personnel

The judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court may employ and fix the salaries of stenographers, clerical assistants, and such other employees as may be deemed necessary by the court; and the salaries therefor shall be paid by the clerk from the amount appropriated by the General Assembly for such purposes.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-15 - Purchasing of supplies

The Georgia State-wide Business Court shall purchase such books, pamphlets, or other publications, whether in hard copy or digital format, and such other supplies and services as the judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court may deem necessary. The costs thereof shall be paid by the clerk out of the amount appropriated by the General Assembly for such purposes.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5A - STATE-WIDE BUSINESS COURT (§§ 15-5A-1 — 15-5A-16) › Section 15-5A-16 - Assignment for budgetary and administrative purposes

The Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be a budget unit as defined in Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 12 of Title 45, the 'Budget Act'; provided, however, that the Georgia State-wide Business Court shall be assigned for administrative purposes only to the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 3-1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 271,§ 1-1, eff. 5/7/2019.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-1 - [See Note] [Short title]

(a)
Each court judge shall be a citizen of the United States and, during the period of service, a resident of this state. No individual shall be appointed as court judge unless at the time of appointment the individual is an attorney licensed to practice in this state and has practiced primarily in the area of tax law for at least eight years.
(b)
Before entering upon the duties of office, each court judge shall take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation that he or she shall faithfully discharge the duties of the office, and such oath shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.
(c)
Each court judge shall devote his or her full time during business hours to the duties of the court. A court judge shall not engage in any other gainful employment or business that interferes with or is inconsistent with his or her duties as judge and shall not hold another office or position of profit in a government of this state, any other state, or the United States.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-2 - [See Note] [Definitions]

(a)
The terms of court for the court shall be the same as the terms of court for the Supreme Court.
(b)
The court shall sit at the seat of government in Atlanta and shall conduct proceedings and trials in locations as provided for in this Code section.
(c)
Proper venue in the Georgia Tax Court shall be in Fulton County, as the principal place of business of the Department of Revenue. The pleadings to initiate an action to the court do not need to establish venue.
(d)
The court may also hold hearings at any place within this state, with a view toward securing to taxpayers a reasonable opportunity to appear before the court with as little inconvenience as practicable. When the court holds hearings outside of its principal location, it shall do so in a place that is physically separate from facilities regularly occupied by the state revenue commissioner.
(e)
All cases before the Georgia Tax Court may have pretrial proceedings or trials, in the sole discretion of the court judge to whom the case is assigned, conducted via video, telephone, or other efficient technological means as may be deemed necessary or useful to conserve the resources of the parties or the court.
(f)
The court judge to whom a case is assigned shall preside over a bench trial.
(g)
When a court judge is disqualified from presiding over a case or proceeding pursuant to Code Section
15-1-8
or any other applicable law, the case shall be transferred to another court judge, if applicable, and if no other court judge may preside over such case, then the Supreme Court shall order a sitting judge of the Court of Appeals, a superior court, or a state court to sit by designation as a court judge.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-3 - [See Note] [Seal]

(a)
The offices of the judges and clerk of the Georgia Tax Court shall sit at the seat of government in Atlanta.
(b)
The chief court judge, in coordination with the clerk, shall be responsible for designating an electronic filing system.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-4 - [See Note] [Chief court judge]

(a)
The chief court judge shall be authorized to appoint law assistants for the use of the court and to remove them at pleasure. Each law assistant of the court shall have been admitted to the bar of this state as a practicing attorney; provided, however, that an individual who graduated from law school but who is not a member of the bar of this state may be appointed as a law assistant so long as he or she is admitted to the bar of this state within one year of such appointment.
(b)
It shall be the duty of a law assistant to attend all sessions of the court, if so ordered, and generally to perform the duties incident to the role of law assistant.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-5 - [See Note] [Qualifications for court judge; oath]

(a)
Each court judge shall be a citizen of the United States and, during the period of service, a resident of this state. No individual shall be appointed as court judge unless at the time of appointment the individual is an attorney licensed to practice in this state and has practiced primarily in the area of tax law for at least eight years.
(b)
Before entering upon the duties of office, each court judge shall take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation that he or she shall faithfully discharge the duties of the office, and such oath shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.
(c)
Each court judge shall devote his or her full time during business hours to the duties of the court. A court judge shall not engage in any other gainful employment or business that interferes with or is inconsistent with his or her duties as judge and shall not hold another office or position of profit in a government of this state, any other state, or the United States.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.