SB12 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Shelby Co., 18th Judicial Circuit, additional district judge, election, conditional appropriation

Summary

SB12 would add a new district judge seat in Alabama’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit (Shelby County), with the first judge elected after preclearance and funded by conditional state money.

What This Bill Does

It creates an additional district judgeship for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, designated number 3. The first judge for this seat would be elected at the next general election after the seat clears federal preclearance, and would serve a six-year term starting in January after that election. The bill provides conditional funding from the State General Fund to fully fund the new judgeship each year, subject to funds availability, the Director of Finance’s recommendation, and the Governor’s approval. The judge would have the same powers, duties, and qualifications as other district judges, and the salary rules follow existing law, including limits on supplements for judges first elected after October 1, 2001.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Shelby County and the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, who could experience changes in court capacity and potentially shorter wait times due to an extra judge.
• Voters and candidates in Shelby County, who would participate in electing the first judge for the new seat; funding decisions involve the Director of Finance and the Governor.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional district judgeship for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, designated judgeship number 3.
• The first judge will be elected at the next general election after preclearance under the Voting Rights Act and will serve a six-year term beginning the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the election.
• Provides a conditional appropriation from the State General Fund to fully fund the new judgeship each fiscal year, contingent on funds availability, Director of Finance recommendation, and Governor approval; initial funding release is conditioned on appropriations.
• The judge will have all jurisdiction, powers, rights, duties, qualifications, and responsibilities of other district judges; compensation follows existing law with no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected after October 1, 2001.
• 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