HB482 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Richard BaughnJohn MerrillDaniel H. BomanBill Poole

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Tuscaloosa Co., 6th Judicial Circuit, additional circuit judge, conditioned on funding for compensation and benefits by county commission, election

Summary

The bill would create a new circuit judge seat in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County) that would begin only if the county funds the first 24 months of pay and benefits, with the seat up for election in 2012.

What This Bill Does

It adds Circuit Judgeship Number 7 to the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which includes Tuscaloosa County. The new seat would be created only if the Tuscaloosa County Commission adopts a resolution to fund the judge's pay and benefits for the first 24 months, plus the pay for a judicial assistant and a court reporter. The judge would be elected in the 2012 general election, subject to required Voting Rights Act preclearance and the county funding resolution. The elected judge would serve a six-year term and have the same powers and duties as other circuit judges, with compensation governed by existing pay rules (no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected after Oct. 1, 2001).

Who It Affects

• Residents and voters in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County), who may see a new circuit judge and changes in court operations if the seat is funded and filled in 2012.
• Tuscaloosa County Commission and county government employees, who must adopt a funding resolution to cover the new judge and associated staff for 24 months, and who oversee compliance with preclearance and funding requirements.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, designated Circuit Judgeship Number 7, for Tuscaloosa County.
• The new judgeship is conditional on the Tuscaloosa County Commission adopting a resolution to fund the judge’s compensation and benefits, plus those of a judicial assistant and a court reporter, for the first 24 months.
• The seat would be filled by election at the 2012 general election, provided the seat has been precleared under the Voting Rights Act and the county funding resolution is in place.
• The first judge elected to this seat would serve a six-year term, starting the Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the election.
• The elected judge would have full jurisdiction and duties similar to other circuit judges; the job is subject to all the responsibilities of the office.
• Compensation for the new judge would follow Chapter 10A of Title 12 of the Alabama Code, and no circuit judge elected after October 1, 2001 would receive a salary supplement or expense allowance.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Tuscaloosa County