This legislation provides for a state salary increase of 5 percent across the board for superior court judges, district attorneys and circuit public defenders. The bill also includes a state supplement of 6,000 per year to superior court judges, district attorneys and circuit public defenders who have an accountability court operating within their judicial circuit. Language is included to exclude other officials who are tied by local legislation from receiving the same supplement or having the state supplement used in calculating any other officials salary that is tied to the superior court judge, district attorney or circuit public defender. However, if other officials are tied to the state salary, the 5 percent across the board in state pay will be used in calculating those officials salaries. This legislation also provides for the establishment of the Judicial, District Attorney and Circuit Public Defender Compensation Commission to conduct periodic reviews of all aspects of compensation and workload assessment and resource utilization.

If other county employees or officials are tied to the superior court judges salary, the 5% increase will apply to those tied.  The salary increase is effective January 1, 2016. 

This legislation allows counties to provide payroll deductions when more than 2,500 of the county's employees request to have deductions made from their salaries to be given to nonprofit organizations, associations, or corporations that provide tangible services and benefits to state government, local government or their employees. the nonprofit must provide educational, legislative or professional development activities that promote and enhance the efficiency, productivity and welfare of state government services, local government services or government employees. The county may retain 1% of the amount deducted and remitted to the nonprofit to cover the cost of administering the payroll deduction.

This legislation allows counties to provide payroll deductions when more than 500 of the county's employees request to have deductions made from their salaries to be given to nonprofit association that provide professional development activities related to their county employment, that provide assistance to or on behalf of those who are killed, injured, in need of medical attention or otherwise in need of assistance, or that promote or enhance law enforcement, corrections or registered professional nursing in Georgia. The county may retain 1% of the amount deducted and remitted to the nonprofit to cover the cost of administering the payroll deduction.

This legislation allows counties to provide payroll deductions to employees to purchase personal computers and computer related equipment through the Georgia Technology Authority or to purchase consumer offerings through an employee purchase program facilitated through the Department of Administrative Services.