HB741 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Richard Baughn
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Winston County, Judge of Probate, salary basis, issuance of motor vehicle license plates, const. amend.
Summary: HB741 would amend Alabama's Constitution to pay Winston County's Judge of Probate on a salary and have that judge issue motor vehicle license plates in a one-stop process, transferring related duties from the revenue commissioner starting in 2013.
What This Bill Does
The bill changes the compensation for the Winston County Judge of Probate to a salary, with an initial amount equal to 80% of the state's annual pay for the county's district court judge and future raises following state law. It also assigns all duties for issuing motor vehicle license plates and for assessing and collecting motor vehicle ad valorem taxes to the judge of probate, removing those duties from the revenue commissioner. Fees and commissions tied to these functions would go into the county general fund, and the judge of probate would handle reporting and remittance as required by law. The change would take effect at the start of the next term of office after ratification (January 2013) and requires an election under the existing constitutional process.

Who It Affects
Winston County residents and taxpayers, who would experience a new process for license plate issuance and motor vehicle tax collection, with related fees and revenues going to the county general fund.
Winston County government, including the Judge of Probate (gaining new duties and a salary-based pay) and the Revenue Commissioner (relieved of motor vehicle tax duties; funds and reporting shift to the probate judge).

Key Provisions
Compensation: The Winston County Judge of Probate shall be paid a salary from the county general fund, starting with an initial annual amount equal to 80% of the state annual compensation for the county's district court judge at ratification; future increases follow Chapter 2A of Title 11, Code of Alabama 1975.
Duties: The judge of probate shall perform all duties related to issuing motor vehicle license plates and to the assessment and collection of ad valorem taxes on motor vehicles; the revenue commissioner is relieved of these duties.
Funds and fees: All fees, commissions, and charges for these functions shall be collected but deposited into the county general fund; the judge of probate shall receive the commissions/fees previously allocated to the revenue commissioner, and these shall be remitted to the county general fund; reporting/remittance shall be done as required by law.
Operating expenses: The Winston County Commission shall provide for operating expenses of the judge of probate's office under general law.
Effective date and election: The amendment becomes effective at the beginning of the next term of the judge of probate after ratification; an election on the amendment shall be held under Amendment 555 to the Alabama Constitution.

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