Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia; allow to set monthly dues
Summary
SB 489 revises the funding structure of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia. Beginning July 1, 2026, the fund’s board would be authorized to set monthly member dues annually, subject to a floor of $105 and a ceiling of $150, with dues required uniformly from all members and ending after 30 years of payments. The bill also directs the board to base its annual dues decision on the actuary’s recommendation, the need to maintain actuarial soundness, and any other relevant factors the board deems appropriate.
The bill also updates participation and service-credit provisions for probate judges and certain board employees, while preserving existing application and reporting requirements. In addition, it increases the amount of revenue dedicated to the retirement fund from several probate-court-related sources: the share of marriage-license fees rises from 20 percent to 25 percent, the civil filing fee contribution increases from $2 to $5, and the amount collected from each pistol or revolver license application is set at $1. It also raises the amount collected in criminal and quasi-criminal cases involving probate courts from $3 to $5 per fine or bond forfeiture.
Impact
SB 489 would amend Chapter 11 of Title 47 of the Georgia Code, which governs the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund, by giving the board more flexibility to adjust member dues and by increasing dedicated revenue streams that support the fund. It would affect probate judges, certain board employees, county probate court operations, and the administrative financing of the retirement system. The bill also changes statutory fee allocations tied to marriage licenses, civil filings, firearm license applications, and certain fines and bond forfeitures.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and advanced without recorded committee opposition in the materials provided. It passed the Senate 50-1 and the House 159-0, suggesting strong bipartisan agreement on the need to strengthen the retirement fund’s financing and give the board more authority to manage long-term actuarial stability. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate substantial public or legislative resistance.
Contention
The main policy tension in SB 489 is financial: it shifts more cost onto probate judges and court users by increasing dues and fee assessments to support retirement obligations. Potential points of concern include the higher monthly dues for members, the increase in the marriage-license fee share, the larger civil filing fee contribution, and the higher assessment on certain fines and bond forfeitures. Supporters likely view these changes as necessary to preserve the fund’s actuarial soundness, while any opposition would center on the burden of increased fees and mandatory contributions.
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