HB80 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Tuscaloosa Co., 6th Judicial Circuit, additional circuit judge, conditioned on funding for compensation and benefits by county commission, election

Summary

HB80 would create an additional circuit judgeship (Circuit Judgeship Number 7) in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County), but only if the county funds compensation and benefits for the judge and staff for the first 24 months, with the position to be filled in the 2016 general election.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a new circuit judgeship for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Tuscaloosa County (Number 7). It makes the new job conditional on the county commission adopting a resolution to fund the judge, a judicial assistant, and a court reporter for the first 24 months. If funded and precleared, the position would be filled in the November 2016 general election and the judge would serve a six-year term with the same powers and duties as other circuit judges, with compensation governed by existing state rules (no salary supplement or expense allowance for those first elected after October 1, 2001).

Who It Affects

• Tuscaloosa County residents in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, potentially affecting court staffing and caseload management
• Tuscaloosa County Commission, which must adopt a funding resolution to cover 24 months of compensation and benefits for the judge and staff
• The appointed or elected judge for Circuit Judgeship Number 7 and the court staff (judicial assistant and court reporter) funded by the county
• Voters in the 2016 general election, who would elect the new judge if preclearance is obtained
• Entities involved in Voting Rights Act preclearance requirements, since the new judgeship is contingent on such preclearance

Key Provisions

• Section 1 creates an additional circuit judgeship for the Sixth Judicial Circuit (designated Circuit Judgeship Number 7) and makes it conditional on the Tuscaloosa County Commission adopting a resolution to fund the judge's compensation and benefits, plus those of a judicial assistant and a court reporter, for the first 24 months.
• Section 2(a) provides that Circuit Judgeship Number 7 shall be filled at the November 2016 general election if the position has been precleared under the Voting Rights Act and if the county has adopted the required funding resolution.
• Section 2(b) states the first judge elected to the new judgeship will serve a six-year term, beginning the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the election.
• Section 2(c) confirms the elected judge will have all powers, duties, and qualifications of other circuit judges.
• Section 3 sets compensation in line with Chapter 10A of Title 12, Code of Alabama 1975, including the rule that no salary supplement or expense allowance is provided to a circuit judge first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.
• Section 4 states the act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Tuscaloosa County