SB493 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hinton Mitchem

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Scott Beason

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Blount Co., 41st Judicial Circuit, additional circuit judge, election, appropriation

Summary

The bill adds one more circuit judge seat for Blount County’s Forty-first Judicial Circuit and provides state funding for it, with the first judge elected in 2012.

What This Bill Does

It creates an additional circuit judgeship designated as a new position in the Forty-first Judicial Circuit to be filled by election in 2012 after preclearance under the Voting Rights Act. The elected judge will serve a six-year term and have the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as other circuit judges. Compensation follows state law, with no salary supplements or expense allowances for first-time judges elected after October 1, 2001. The bill also appropriates from the State General Fund enough funds to fully fund the new judgeship for the fiscal year in which it is filled.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Blount County and users of the Forty-first Judicial Circuit, who may experience increased judicial capacity and potential changes in court service delivery due to the new judge.
• State government and taxpayers, because the bill requires a General Fund appropriation to fund the new judgeship and involves compliance with preclearance requirements.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship for the Forty-first Judicial Circuit, designated as the new position (judgeship number 2) to be filled by election in 2012 following preclearance under the Voting Rights Act.
• The elected judge shall serve a six-year term and shall have full jurisdiction, duties, and qualifications of circuit judges, subject to existing office responsibilities.
• Annual compensation will follow Chapter 10A, Title 12 of the Code of Alabama; no salary supplement or expense allowance for first-time judges elected after October 1, 2001.
• There is an appropriation from the State General Fund to fully fund the new judgeship for the fiscal year in which it is filled; the act becomes effective immediately upon 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

Judicial Circuits