Fort Bend County Judge KP George has issued a statement supporting Governor Greg Abbott’s appointments of Richard “Rick” Bell as Judge of the 501st Judicial District Court and Mark Hanna as Judge of the 502nd Judicial District Court.

Both appointments take effect on December 1, 2025, and will run through December 31, 2026, or until successors are elected and qualified.

“I am so thankful to Governor Abbott for appointing two highly qualified and experienced jurists to these two new benches to serve the citizens of Fort Bend County with integrity and impartiality. I congratulate Judges Bell and Hanna on their appointments, and I am confident they will serve Fort Bend County with distinction and honor,” Judge George said in a statement released November 25.

Richard “Rick” Bell of Richmond currently serves as Associate District Judge in the 387th District Court. He is a member and past president of the Fort Bend County Bar Association, a member of the Family Bar of Fort Bend, American Inns of Court, and the State Bar of Texas and its family law section. His community involvement includes serving as past president and board member of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land and being a member of Bridge Fellowship Church. Bell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Southwestern University and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston.

Mark Hanna of Sugar Land serves as Associate Judge of the 458th Judicial District Court in Fort Bend County. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, former secretary of the Matagorda County Bar Association, and is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He also serves on the board of the Exchange Club of Fort Bend and is a member of River Point Church. Hanna earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston.

According to the statement, Governor Abbott established the 501st and 502nd Judicial Districts to address Fort Bend County’s rapid population growth and its expanding legal caseload. The two new district courts, officially launched on September 1, 2025, are expected to strengthen the county’s judicial capacity and improve the timely handling of cases. The creation of these courts is part of a broader initiative to meet the needs of a county projected to exceed one million residents.

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