Georgia Senate bill by Sen. Strickland requiring $10,000 annual stipend for Henry County chief judge passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Sen. Brian Strickland, which won approval in both chambers, aims to require Henry County to provide a $10,000 annual stipend to the chief judge of the superior court and repeals conflicting laws, according to the Georgia State Senate.

It passed both chambers as of Wednesday, April 2, clearing the House by a vote of 168-0 and the Senate by a vote of 53-0.

The bill, introduced as SB329 on Monday, March 10 during the 2025 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Flint Judicial Circuit; chief judge; annual stipend in addition to county compensation to superior court judges; provide’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends a prior act to mandate that the governing authority of Henry County, which is part of the Flint Judicial Circuit, provide the chief judge of the superior court with an annual stipend of $10,000. This stipend is to be paid in 12 equal monthly installments and is in addition to any existing state and county compensation for the judges. The goal is to ensure the chief judge receives supplemental pay from county funds. Furthermore, the bill includes a provision to repeal any conflicting laws, thereby solidifying the new stipend arrangement.

In the Senate, 22 Democrats and 31 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the House, 73 Democrats and 95 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Noelle Kahaian (Republican-81st) and Sen. Gail Davenport (Democrat-17th), along with two other co-sponsors.

Strickland graduated from Valdosta State University in 2006 with a BBA and again in 2009 from Florida Coastal School of Law with a JD.

Strickland, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 42nd Senate District, replacing previous state senator Elena Parent.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, May 13.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State Senate. The source data can be found here.