SB523 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald H. AllenSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Tuscaloosa Co., coroner office established, election, medical examiner office abolished, compensation set by county commission, Act 86-373, 1986 Reg. Sess. repealed
Summary: SB523 lets Tuscaloosa County replace the medical examiner with a coroner, appoint an interim coroner, hold coroner elections every four years, and repeal the old medical examiner law.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes the Tuscaloosa County Commission to abolish the medical examiner position and reestablish the coroner’s office. The Governor would appoint a temporary coroner to serve until the next General Election (at least 12 months after reestablishment), and a coroner would be elected every four years thereafter. The coroner would assume the duties and powers previously carried out by the medical examiner under state law, and the county must set the coroner’s salary within 30 days before reestablishment. Act 86-373, 1986 Regular Session is repealed once a coroner has been appointed, and the act becomes effective immediately.

Who It Affects
Residents of Tuscaloosa County, whose death investigations would be handled by an elected coroner instead of a medical examiner.
Tuscaloosa County government and potential coroner candidates, as the county commission would appoint an interim coroner, set the salary, and elections would determine future officeholders.

Key Provisions
The county commission may abolish the medical examiner position and reestablish the coroner's office in Tuscaloosa County.
The Governor shall appoint a person to serve as coroner until a coroner is elected and qualified at the next General Election occurring at least 12 months after the reestablishment.
An election for the coroner will be held every four years thereafter.
All powers and duties of the medical examiner will be exercised and performed by the coroner as provided in Chapter 5 of Title 11 of the Code of Alabama 1975.
Within 30 days prior to reestablishment, the county commission shall establish the salary for the coroner.
Act 86-373, 1986 Regular Session is repealed following the appointment of a coroner.
This act becomes effective immediately.

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