HB341 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve McMillan

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Dan Williams

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Supreme Court, rules, publication by Secretary of State in Acts of Alabama, requirement deleted, Sec. 12-2-19 am'd.

Summary

HB341 removes the requirement to publish Supreme Court rules in the Acts of Alabama and expands the Supreme Court’s authority to set administrative rules for court administration and indigent defense.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill eliminates the mandate that the Secretary of State publish Supreme Court rules in the Acts of Alabama. It retains filing of rules with the Clerk of the Supreme Court and publication in the official report of decisions. It also broadens the Court’s power to create administrative rules about information handling, collection of unpaid costs, court security, and procedures for appointing attorneys for indigents (including how fees are handled if an indigent becomes nonindigent). Rules and interpretations remain in effect unless explicitly changed, and Clerk opinions on rule interpretation would be published. The act would become effective immediately after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• The Supreme Court and Clerk of the Supreme Court, who gain broader authority to adopt administrative rules and maintain their publication and interpretation responsibilities.
• The Secretary of State and Alabama residents, since the publication requirement in the Acts of Alabama would be removed, changing how and where rules are published.

Key Provisions

• Deletes the requirement that Supreme Court rules be published in the Acts of Alabama.
• Maintains that rules are filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court and published in the official report of decisions; removes Acts publication obligation by the Secretary of State.
• Authorizes the Supreme Court to make administrative rules on topics such as information handling, collection of costs and fines, court security, and indigent defense procedures (including fee collection if an indigent becomes nonindigent).
• Rules in effect before this act remain unless explicitly changed; Clerk of the Supreme Court may issue written opinions on rule interpretation, published in the official report of decisions.
• Effective date: immediate after passage and governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court, Supreme