JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION
State of Georgia

Open Meeting Minutes
Atlanta, GA

April 17, 2020

This meeting of the Investigative Panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission of the State of Georgia was held via Zoom and teleconference. Mr. Pope Langdale chaired the meeting and Ms. Phyllis Motes served as Recording Secretary.

Commission Members Present:

Mr. Pope Langdale
Judge Stacey Hydrick
Mr. Bob Barr
Mr. Warren Selby
Mr. James Balli

Others Present:

Mr. Chuck Boring – Director
Ms. Courtney Veal – Deputy Director
Ms. Phyllis Motes – Case Manager
Lance Alford – Investigator

Agenda/Minutes:

Chairman Langdale called the meeting to order and determined that a quorum was present.

Upon motion and second, the Minutes of the March 20, 2020 Open Meeting were approved.

Chairman’s Comments:

Chairman Langdale began the meeting by congratulating the Director on his leadership and the changes he has instituted in meeting documentation and on Box. Chairman Langdale then asked Mr. Alford how the judicial emergency was effecting his ability to investigate various matters.

Mr. Alford replied that the judicial emergency has on some occasions prevented him from obtaining court records and videos because some courts are closed.

Chairman Langdale then turned the meeting over to the Director

Director’s Reports:

Mr. Boring began by thanking the Investigative Panel for their oversight on his work product. He stated that it is very helpful.

Mr. Boring then moved to the Judicial Emergency Order and how it is effecting the staff’s ability to keep up with their work. He reported that it has not been a problem.

The Panel discussed how the transition would work once the Judicial Emergency Order expires.

Mr. Boring then discussed the possibility of rescheduling the May meeting to May 15 as both staff and Panel members have conflicts with the May 22 date. He also said that he felt the meeting needed to be held on Zoom. He added that the State Bar event scheduled
for June 11-14 has been cancelled, and there needs to be further discussion at the next meeting regarding the specifics of the June meeting.

A discussion followed among the Panel regarding the Director’s suggestions on the May meeting. The Panel said that a Zoom conference on May 15 would work.

Mr. Boring then moved to a discussion on Rule 3A. He said that invoking this Rule does not affect the Panel’s ability to vote on matters, but it will necessitate that judges will have to appear virtually.

Mr. Boring then briefly discussed the Secretary of State’s election schedule and the fact that several voting dates have been rescheduled due the pandemic. He added that Mr. Barr recently wrote a very informative article on the subject which appeared in The Marietta Daily Journal.

Mr. Barr then asked what the status was on the Judicial Qualifications Commission’s GoDaddy contract.

Mr. Boring stated that Ms. Veal is currently looking into that, and she will discuss her findings at the next meeting.

Mr. Barr then asked if the Director has further information on when the Legislative session will begin again.

Mr. Boring said that there is nothing in place yet.

Chairman Langdale then asked Mr. Balli if he has information regarding the State budget.

Mr. Balli said that he has no further information at this time.

Mr. Boring then directed the Panel’s attention to the March Financial Report. He added that the amended budget was approved, and $40k will be added to the budget for use through June 30, 2020. He also stated the House has approved an over-$200k budget increase for 2021, but that increase is unlikely to pass the Senate because of the current emergency situation.

There being no old or new business for discussion, the Open Meeting was adjourned.

These minutes were approved by the Judicial Qualifications Commission on May 15, 2020.

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Pope Langdale, Chairman
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Charles P. Boring, Director