Georgia House bill by Rep. Williams to revise Cordele Judicial Circuit court term schedule passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Rep. Noel Williams, Jr. aims to standardize and clarify the schedule for superior court terms in the Cordele Judicial Circuit after winning approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Tuesday, March 31, clearing the House by a vote of 165-0 and the Senate by a vote of 47-0.

The bill, introduced as HB1121 on Monday, Feb. 2 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Cordele Judicial Court; change certain terms of court’.

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

In essence, this bill revises the schedule for terms of superior court in the Cordele Judicial Circuit by changing when court terms begin in Ben Hill, Crisp, Dooly and Wilcox counties. It adds specific start dates tied to the Monday following Jan. 1 and July 1 for each county, adjusting the existing pattern of monthly Monday terms listed in current law. The bill appears intended to standardize and clarify court term start dates within the circuit. The bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, and repeals any conflicting laws.

In the House, 72 Democrats and 93 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 15 Democrats and 32 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Leesa Hagan (Republican-156th), Rep. Patty Marie Stinson (Democrat-150th), and Sen. Steven McNeel (Republican-18th).

Williams graduated from the University of Georgia in 1994.

Williams, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 148th House District, replacing previous state representative Buddy Harden.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday, May 11.

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 House. The source data can be found here.