SB581 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Phillip W. Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Etowah Co., court costs, Legislature authorized to provide by general or local law, prior local laws ratified, const. amend.
Summary: SB581 proposes a constitutional amendment to let the Legislature set and adjust Etowah County court costs and to ratify existing local court-cost laws.
What This Bill Does
If approved, the Legislature, through general or local law, can fix, regulate, and alter the costs and charges of courts in Etowah County and decide how the funds are distributed. It also ratifies and confirms any local laws that already authorize additional court costs enacted before the amendment took effect. An election would be held to vote on the amendment under state election rules, with ballot language describing the measure.

Who It Affects
Residents and businesses in Etowah County who pay court costs, since the amount and use of those costs could change.
Etowah County courts and county officials responsible for collecting and distributing court costs, as their authority over these costs would be updated and clarified.

Key Provisions
The Legislature, by general or local law, may fix, regulate, and alter the costs and charges of courts in Etowah County and provide for their distribution.
Any local law that authorizes the levy of additional court costs in Etowah County enacted before the amendment's effective date is ratified and confirmed.
An election will be held to approve the amendment, with ballot language describing the measure and options Yes or No.

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