SB553 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Roger Bedford, Jr.

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Greg J. ReedPaul Bussman

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Winston County, Judge of Probate, salary basis, issuance of motor vehicle license plates, const. amend.

Summary

SB553 would amend the Alabama Constitution to pay Winston County’s judge of probate a salary and have that judge issue motor vehicle license plates in a one-stop process, also handling related vehicle taxes.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a salary-based compensation for the Winston County judge of probate, starting with the January 2013 term; the initial salary is set at 80% of the county's district court judge's pay at ratification, with future increases guided by state law. It transfers the duties of issuing motor vehicle license plates and assessing/collecting motor vehicle ad valorem taxes from the revenue commissioner to the judge of probate, and license plate fees would go into the county general fund. The county commission would provide for the office’s operating expenses from the general fund. An election would be held to approve the constitutional amendment, and the changes would take effect at the start of the judge’s next term after ratification.

Who It Affects

• Winston County Judge of Probate — would be paid a salary, and would assume new duties to issue motor vehicle license plates and handle motor vehicle tax work.
• Winston County Commission — would be responsible for funding the judge’s office and its operating expenses from the county general fund.
• Revenue Commissioner (in Winston County) — would be relieved of duties related to motor vehicle tax assessment and collection.
• Residents of Winston County who obtain motor vehicle license plates — would use a one-stop process handled by the judge of probate.

Key Provisions

• Judge of Probates in Winston County shall be compensated on a salary basis, paid from the county general fund.
• Initial salary set at 80% of the county's district court judge annual compensation at ratification; future increases follow Chapter 2A of Title 11, Code of Alabama 1975.
• Judge of Probate shall issue motor vehicle license plates and handle ad valorem tax assessment/collection on motor vehicles; revenue commissioner duties related to these tasks are removed.
• All fees related to issuance of motor vehicle license plates shall be deposited into the county general fund.
• County Commission shall provide for operating expenses of the judge’s office under general law.
• The amendment becomes effective at the beginning of the judge’s next term after ratification; an election will be held to vote on the amendment.

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

Subjects

Winston County