SB356 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

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

Summary

This bill adds a new circuit judge seat in Lee County's 37th Judicial Circuit and sets how it would be elected, term length, and pay.

What This Bill Does

It creates an additional circuit judgeship designated Number 4 in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County). The seat would be filled by election in the 2014 general election or the next general election, only if the seat has been precleared under the Voting Rights Act. The first elected judge would serve a six-year term with the same powers and duties as other circuit judges, and compensation would follow existing law (no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected after Oct 1, 2001). The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it or it becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Lee County in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, who would gain an additional circuit judge and potentially faster access to court services.
• Potential candidates for Circuit Judgeship Number 4 and current circuit judges in the circuit, as the new seat changes who is running and how judges are compensated under existing pay rules.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship designated Circuit Judgeship Number 4 in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County).
• Requires the seat to be filled at the 2014 general election (or next general election) if precleared under the Voting Rights Act; the first judge serves a six-year term and has the same jurisdiction and duties as other circuit judges.
• Sets compensation for the new judge according to Chapter 10A, Title 12, with no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.
• Effective date: immediate upon passage and governor's approval (or becoming 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

Judicial Circuits