HB497 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Mike Hill

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Shelby Co., 18th Judicial Circuit, additional district judge, election, conditional appropriation

Summary

HB497 would add a new district judge seat (number 3) in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit (Shelby County), with the first judge elected at the next general election and funded by a conditional state appropriation.

What This Bill Does

Creates an additional district judgeship in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit designated as judgeship number 3. The first judge for the seat would be elected at the next general election after preclearance under the Voting Rights Act and would serve a six-year term beginning in January after the election. The judge would have all the powers and duties of other district judges and would be paid under existing law (no salary supplement for first-term judges elected after October 1, 2001). Funding for the position would be provided conditionally from the State General Fund, with release of funds dependent on availability, Director of Finance recommendation, and Governor approval; initial funding depends on release of the applicable appropriations.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Shelby County who use the district court, as an additional judge would handle more cases and potentially affect access to court services.
• Voters in Shelby County who will elect the first judge for the new seat, and state officials (Director of Finance and the Governor) who would approve and release the conditional funding for the judgeship.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional district judgeship for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, designated as judgeship number 3.
• The first judge shall be elected at the next general election following preclearance and release of the conditional appropriation, serving a six-year term beginning the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January after the election.
• The new judge has full jurisdiction, powers, duties, and qualifications consistent with other district judges, and receives compensation per existing state law (no salary supplement for certain early-eligible judges).
• There is a conditional appropriation from the State General Fund to fund the judgeship for each year the seat is filled, conditioned on fund availability, Director of Finance recommendation, and Governor approval; initial filling depends on release of the applicable appropriations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Judicial Circuits