SB409 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Lee Co., additional circuit judge, conditioned on funding for compensation and benefits by county commission, election
Summary: SB409 would add a new circuit judge position (Circuit Judgeship Number 4) in Lee County’s Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit and set how the judge is elected, serves a six-year term, and is paid.
What This Bill Does
Creates an additional circuit judgeship in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit for Lee County, designated as Circuit Judgeship Number 4. The position would be filled at the November 2016 general election (or the next general election) provided it has been precleared under the Voting Rights Act. The first judge would serve a six-year term starting after the election, with all the usual powers and duties of a circuit judge. Compensation would follow existing law, and no salary supplement or expense allowance would be provided to judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.

Who It Affects
Residents of Lee County who use or rely on the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, as the county would gain an additional circuit judge to handle cases.
Qualified individuals seeking election to Circuit Judgeship Number 4, who would run in the 2016 general election (or next general election) if preclearance is satisfied.
The Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County) as a whole, which would gain an additional judge and related responsibilities.

Key Provisions
Section 1 creates an additional circuit judgeship designated Circuit Judgeship Number 4 in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County).
Section 2 specifies the judge will be elected at the November 2016 general election or the next general election thereafter, contingent on preclearance under the Voting Rights Act; the first judge would serve a six-year term beginning in January following the election.
Section 3 establishes compensation rules: pay follows Chapter 10A of Title 12, with the rule that no salary supplement or expense allowance is provided to judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.
Section 4 states the act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval.

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