SB158 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Jefferson Co., judge of probate, place No. 1, confidential judicial assistants, appointment of additional, compensation, retirement

Summary

Authorizes Jefferson County's Judge of Probate, Place 1 to hire six additional at-will confidential judicial assistants, set their pay, and specify funding, benefits, and retirement options.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows the Judge of Probate, Place 1 to appoint six more at-will confidential judicial assistants in Jefferson County. It assigns specific salary limits by grade level, requires funding from the probate court's archival and operational fund (with transfers to the General Fund), and provides that these assistants receive benefits like merit-system employees. The assistants are not part of the county merit system while employed, but they can return to merit-system jobs after termination, earn service credit toward retirement, and may join county pension plans within 30 days of appointment.

Who It Affects

• Judge of Probate, Place 1 in Jefferson County, who gains authority to appoint six additional confidential judicial assistants and must manage their salaries and benefits within defined grade levels.
• Six new confidential judicial assistants, who will be at-will employees with specified salary ranges, county benefits, and pension eligibility options, and who are not subject to the county merit system while employed.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the appointment of six additional at-will confidential judicial assistants by the Judge of Probate, Place 1, in Jefferson County.
• Establishes salary limits for these positions: two at grade 18, one at grade 23, two at grade 24, and one at grade 37, as approved by the Judge of Probate, Place 1.
• Confidential judicial assistants are at-will and not subject to the county merit system; if they leave and return to merit-system employment, they may occupy a position equal to or higher in grade than before.
• Service as a confidential judicial assistant counts as merit-system service for retirement/benefits purposes if the employee returns to county employment.
• They are entitled to the same employee benefits as merit-system employees, with funding transferred from the probate court archival and operational fund to the Jefferson County General Fund to pay salaries.
• Eligible to join Jefferson County pension plans within 30 days of appointment.
• Applies only in Jefferson County; provisions are supplemental to existing law and take effect immediately upon passage.

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

Subjects

Jefferson County