SB256 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

William “Bill” M. BeasleyCam WardJ.T. WaggonerVivian Davis FiguresGerald O. DialJerry L. FieldingTom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Judicial offices, maximum age for election or appointment to judicial office increased to 75 years, Section 6.16 (Section 155, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Summary

This bill would raise the maximum age to be elected or appointed as a judge from 70 to 75, with a specific exception allowing some over-75 judges to serve as supernumerary judges if they are not eligible for retirement benefits.

What This Bill Does

It amends the Alabama Constitution to set 75 as the age limit for new judicial appointments or elections. It provides an exception that a judge over 75 may be appointed as a supernumerary judge if they are not eligible to receive state retirement benefits. It preserves that retirement rules and benefits for judges will be established by law rather than by the constitutional amendment.

Who It Affects

• People who seek or hold judicial offices will be subject to the new age limit (no election or appointment after reaching 75).
• Judges who are over 75 may be appointed as supernumerary judges if they are not eligible for state retirement benefits.

Key Provisions

• Raise the maximum age to be elected or appointed to a judicial office from 70 years to 75 years.
• Allow a judge over 75 to be appointed to the office of supernumerary judge if not eligible for state retirement benefits; retirement provisions for judges and supernumerary judges will be set by law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments