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Senate committee approves bill to add sixth judge to Augusta judicial circuit
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave unanimous consent to Senate Bill 145 to add a sixth judge to the Augusta judicial circuit, with the position funded in the budget and an effective date of Jan. 1.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to give favorable consent to Senate Bill 145, which would add a sixth judge to the Augusta judicial circuit, during a committee meeting.
Committee members said the new judgeship is needed because the circuit currently has five judges and a high caseload. The presenter on the bill said the circuit was “number 3 on the list with 1,862 cases for our number of judges, which is 5 at the current time,” and asked for the committee’s favorable consent.
The presenter told the committee the judgeship would begin Jan. 1 and that funding for the position “is in the budget.” Committee leadership called for a motion, one was made and seconded, and members approved the bill by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The chair recognized Jesse Stone, whom the chair identified earlier in the meeting, then returned to the bill. The presenter said Judge Stone was present to assist if needed during implementation.
The committee did not record a roll-call vote or list a mover and seconder by name in the transcript; the meeting transcript records the approval by voice (“Aye”) and no members saying they opposed. The presenter said he would follow up on which member would carry the bill in the other chamber.
