SB556 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Lee Co., additional circuit judge, conditioned on funding for compensation and benefits by county commission, election

Summary

Creates a new Circuit Judgeship Number 4 in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County), but only if the county funds the first year of compensation and benefits.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new circuit judge seat for Lee County and sets the first year’s pay and benefits for the judge and staff. It requires the Lee County Commission to pass a resolution to fund the judge, a judicial assistant, and a bailiff or law clerk for the first 12 months. The new judge would be elected in the 2014 general election (or the next general election thereafter) and would serve a six-year term, with their duties and authority the same as other circuit judges, and compensation governed by existing state rules, including the rule that some judges do not receive salary supplements or expense allowances.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Lee County and the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, who would gain an additional circuit judge and potentially faster access to circuit court services.
• Lee County government (County Commission) and the new judge’s staff (judge, judicial assistant, and bailiff or law clerk), who must be funded for the first year and whose positions are created by this act.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship designated as Circuit Judgeship Number 4 in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County), conditioned on county funding for the first 12 months for compensation and benefits for the judge and staff.
• The seat is to be filled at the 2014 general election or the next general election thereafter, contingent on preclearance under the Voting Rights Act and the county commission's funding resolution.
• The first elected judge will serve a six-year term and will have the same duties and powers as other circuit judges; compensation follows Chapter 10A of Title 12, including prohibitions on salary supplements or expense allowances for judges first elected after October 1, 2001.
• This act becomes effective immediately after passage and gubernatorial approval.

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

Subjects

Judicial Circuits