SB440 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Zeb Little

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Cullman Co., 32nd Judicial Circuit, additional district judge, appointment by Governor, conditional appropriation

Summary

SB440 would create a new district judge seat in Cullman County's 32nd Judicial Circuit, with the first judge appointed by the Governor and later elected, funded by a conditional state appropriation.

What This Bill Does

It adds an extra district judge position in the Thirty-second Judicial Circuit, which includes Cullman County. The Governor would appoint the initial judge after required preclearance, and that judge would serve until the person elected to fill the seat takes office after the next general election following one year of service. The first election for the seat would occur at that general election, and the elected judge would serve a six-year term beginning the following January. The bill provides a conditional state funding appropriation to fully fund the new judgeship for the year it is filled and the next year, subject to funds, the Director of Finance's recommendation, and the Governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Cullman County and the Thirty-second Judicial Circuit gain an additional district judge seat and related court resources.
• State government and voters: the Governor handles appointment, the Director of Finance and the state budget handle funding, and voters participate in the election to fill the seat.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional district judgeship in the Thirty-second Judicial Circuit designated as Judgeship Number 3.
• Initial judge to be appointed by the Governor after required preclearance; that judge serves until the elected successor takes office; the seat is first filled by a general election after the appointed judge has served one year.
• First elected judge serves a six-year term starting the January after the general election.
• Compensation follows state law; no salary supplement or expense allowance for the first judge elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.
• A conditional appropriation from the State General Fund funds the new judgeship for the fiscal year it is filled and the following year if funding is not provided in the general appropriation acts, contingent on fund availability, Director of Finance recommendation, and Governor approval; initial filling depends on release of appropriations.
• Effective date: becomes law immediately upon passage and governor's 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

Judicial Circuits