SB346 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jerry L. Fielding

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Dick BrewbakerBryan Taylor

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Commission, creation, membership, appointments to fill vacancies in offices of circuit and district judge, circuit clerk, and district attorney, const. amend.

Summary

SB346 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to create a Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Commission and three county-level commissions to nominate candidates for vacancies in circuit judges, district attorneys, district court judges, and circuit clerks, shifting some appointment authority away from the Governor.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a statewide Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Commission of five members to nominate candidates for circuit judge and district attorney vacancies to the Governor. It also creates Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore County Judicial Commissions to nominate candidates for district court judge vacancies and for circuit clerk vacancies in their counties, with specified membership and operating rules. The commissions must nominate up to three qualified candidates, who must meet residency requirements; the Governor (or, in some cases, the presiding judge or Chief Justice) would then make appointments, with defined deadlines and fallback procedures if actions are delayed.

Who It Affects

• Residents of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit (Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore counties) whose vacancies would be filled by the new commissions and who would be affected by the revised nomination and appointment process.
• Local legal community members (District Attorney, presiding circuit judge, bar associations, county commissions, and local legislative delegation) who would participate on the new commissions and influence nominations and appointments.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Commission (five members: Presiding Circuit Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, the District Attorney or a representative, and the president of each local bar association in the circuit). The Presiding Circuit Judge presides and votes only to break ties; all members must reside in the circuit.
• The Commission is tasked with nominating to the Governor for appointment vacancies in the offices of circuit judge and district attorney; the appointment process includes a list of up to three nominees, residency requirements for nominees, and specified timelines for certification, Governor action, and potential fallback by the Chief Justice or presiding judge.
• Creates Autauga County, Chilton County, and Elmore County Judicial Commissions (local commissions) to nominate candidates for district court judge vacancies and circuit clerk vacancies in their counties; each local commission has five voting members and specific composition requirements, including the county's legislative delegation and local bar association president.
• Local commissions nominate up to three candidates for circuit clerk vacancies, with the presiding circuit judge appointing within 30 days from the list; for district court judge vacancies, the local commission and presiding judge work through a similar nomination and appointment process, with Governor or Chief Justice involvement if delays occur.
• Nomination and appointment procedures include residency requirements (district judge nominees must live in the county; district attorney must reside within the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit), and terms of office are defined (initial terms and full terms) with provisions for vacancy replacement and reappointments.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments