SB468 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Zeb Little

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Courts, civil jurisdiction of circuit and district courts, dollar amount in controversy, concurrent jurisdiction, Secs. 12-11-30, 12-12-30 am'd.

Summary

The bill would raise the monetary threshold that determines whether civil cases are heard by the circuit court alone or concurrently with the district court in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It amends two sections (12-11-30 and 12-12-30) to change the civil jurisdiction thresholds between circuit and district courts. The bill increases the amount in controversy that triggers concurrent jurisdiction, effectively moving more civil cases to circuit court exclusive jurisdiction. It preserves existing rules for criminal and appellate matters, and it sets an effective date for when the changes take effect.

Who It Affects

• Civil plaintiffs and defendants in Alabama, whose claims now fall above or below the new thresholds; depending on the final amount in controversy, their case may be handled exclusively by the circuit court or concurrently with the district court.
• District court and circuit court systems (including judges, clerks, and attorneys), whose caseloads and jurisdiction boundaries may shift as the new thresholds change which court handles certain civil actions.

Key Provisions

• Amends §12-11-30 to adjust civil jurisdiction thresholds: the circuit court would have exclusive jurisdiction for civil actions at higher controversy amounts and would exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the district court for civil actions at a new, higher lower threshold (the bill's text specifies changes to the amounts that trigger concurrent jurisdiction).
• Amends §12-12-30 to set the district court's original civil jurisdiction as statewide and concurrent with the circuit court for civil actions up to the new threshold; it also maintains existing exclusions, including limits on certain equitable relief actions, declaratory judgments, and appeals from probate or municipal courts, among others.
• Section 2 states the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor's approval (or otherwise becoming law).

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

Subjects

Courts