SB461 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Courts, Judicial Inquiry Commission and Court of Judiciary, term limit provided for, const. amend.

Summary

SB461 would amend Alabama's Constitution to require Senate confirmation, four-year terms, and a two-term limit for members of the Judicial Inquiry Commission and the Court of the Judiciary.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would change how the Judicial Inquiry Commission and the Court of the Judiciary are staffed: all members would need Senate confirmation before serving, and each member would serve a four-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms. It would keep the existing roles where the Judicial Inquiry Commission investigates and files complaints and the Court of the Judiciary hears those complaints, with the Supreme Court handling appeals and adopting procedural rules.

Who It Affects

• Members of the Judicial Inquiry Commission: would face Senate confirmation, have four-year terms, and be limited to two consecutive terms.
• Members of the Court of the Judiciary: would face Senate confirmation, have four-year terms, and be limited to two consecutive terms.
• Appointment authorities (e.g., Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Supreme Court, Circuit Judges' Association, Alabama State Bar, etc.): would appoint members who must then be confirmed by the Senate.
• Alabama voters/general electorate: would vote on the constitutional amendment to implement these changes.

Key Provisions

• All members of the Judicial Inquiry Commission and the Court of the Judiciary must be subject to Senate confirmation before serving.
• Members would serve four-year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
• The amendment preserves the commissions' roles: JIC investigates and files complaints; COJ hears complaints and can sanction or remove judges, with appeals to the Supreme Court.
• The Supreme Court would adopt rules governing the procedures of both bodies, and the Court of the Judiciary would have subpoena and sanctioning powers as part of its role.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments