HB503 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Demetrius C. Newton

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Jefferson Co., civil appeals, bond, exempt from requirement to post

Summary

HB503 would let Jefferson County appeal court decisions and supersede judgments without posting traditional bonds, with special rules for condemnation cases.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows Jefferson County to appeal from any judgment, decree, writ, or order in which it is a party without needing to post an appeal, supersedeas, dissolution, or other bonds, overriding standard bond requirements. It applies only in Jefferson County and includes a process to effect the appeal by filing a statement with the court naming the destination court, within the legal time frame; once filed, the appeal acts as if a bond had been filed. In condemnation cases, if an appeal is perfected, the county gains an immediate right of entry pending the appeal as if a proper bond had been filed. The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Jefferson County, Alabama (and its County Attorney or other officials) - gains ability to initiate appeals and suspend judgments without posting bonds, and can obtain immediate entry rights in condemnation cases when an appeal is perfected.
• Other parties in Jefferson County cases (such as plaintiffs, defendants, and property owners involved in condemnation) - may experience changes in how appeals are brought and how property rights and judgments are treated while an appeal is pending, due to the county's new ability to appeal without bonds.

Key Provisions

• Section 2: Jefferson County may take an appeal from and supersede any judgment, decree, writ, or order in which it is a party without posting an appeal bond, supersedeas bond, dissolution bond, or other bond, overriding any contrary provisions in the Alabama Rules of Civil or Appellate Procedure; in condemnation cases, failure to file such bonds does not deprive the county of entry rights pending the appeal.
• Section 3: To appeal to another court, the county may file a statement with the court where the judgment was entered, designating the destination court; once filed within the time allowed by law, the appeal and supersedure have the same effect as if a good bond had been filed, including in condemnation proceedings with the county having immediate right of entry pending the appeal.
• Section 4: The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Jefferson County