HB647 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Alan HarperJohn MerrillBill Poole

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

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

Summary

HB647 would create a seventh circuit judgeship in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County), but only if the county funds the judge and staff for 24 months, with the seat to be filled by the 2014 general election.

What This Bill Does

Creates an additional circuit judgeship designated Circuit Judgeship Number 7 for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers Tuscaloosa County. Makes the new judgeship conditional on the Tuscaloosa County Commission adopting a resolution to fund compensation and benefits for the judge, a judicial assistant, and a court reporter for the first 24 months. If funding and Voting Rights Act preclearance conditions are met, the seat would be filled by election at the November 2014 general election and the judge would serve a six-year term starting the January after the election, with the judge having the same powers and duties as other circuit judges and following standard compensation rules.

Who It Affects

• Tuscaloosa County residents and the Tuscaloosa County Commission, because creating the new judgeship depends on local funding for the initial 24 months of pay and benefits for the judge and staff.
• Voters in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County) and the court staff, since the new seat would be elected in 2014 if conditions are met, and the judge would work with a judicial assistant and court reporter.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship for the Sixth Judicial Circuit designated as Circuit Judgeship Number 7.
• The existence of the new judgeship is conditioned on the county commission adopting a resolution to fund the necessary compensation and benefits for the judge, a judicial assistant, and a court reporter for the first 24 months.
• Provides for the election of Circuit Judgeship Number 7 at the 2014 general election, contingent on preclearance under the Voting Rights Act and county action.
• The first judge elected to the new position serves a six-year term, with start of office following the second Tuesday in January after the election.
• The newly elected judge has all the jurisdiction, powers, rights, and duties of other circuit judges.
• Compensation for the new judge follows Chapter 10A of Title 12, with the rule that no circuit judge elected or appointed after October 1, 2001 receives a salary supplement or expense allowance.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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