SB544 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Co-Sponsor

George M. “Marc” Keahey

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Baldwin Co. (28th Judicial Circuit), circuit court judge, appointment of additional, conditional appropriations

Summary

The bill would add a new circuit judge seat in Baldwin County’s Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit, but only if the county funds it through 2014, with the first judge elected in 2012.

What This Bill Does

It creates an additional circuit judgeship (number 6) for Baldwin County in the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit. The seat would be funded by the Baldwin County Commission through 2014, covering pay for the judge and staff (judge, judicial assistant, and bailiff or law clerk). The first judge would be elected in the 2012 general election after preclearance and the release of the appropriation, and would serve a six-year term with full powers and duties of a circuit judge. Pay would follow existing state rules, and the first judge elected or appointed after a specified date would not receive a salary supplement or expense allowance.

Who It Affects

• Baldwin County residents and the local court system would potentially experience changes in access to court services and caseload management due to the addition of a sixth circuit judge.
• Baldwin County Commission and county government, which would need to adopt a funding resolution to cover compensation and benefits through 2014 for the judge and staff.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship for the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit, designated as judgeship number 6, in Baldwin County.
• The new judgeship is conditioned on the Baldwin County Commission adopting a resolution to provide funding through 2014 for compensation and benefits for the judge, a judicial assistant, and a bailiff or law clerk.
• The seat would be filled by election at the 2012 general election after preclearance under the Voting Rights Act and release of the conditional appropriation.
• The first elected judge would serve a six-year term and would have full jurisdiction, powers, rights, and duties of other circuit judges.
• Compensation would follow the standard Alabama pay rules; no salary supplement or expense allowance would be provided to the first circuit judge elected or appointed after the specified date.
• The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

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