HB11 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

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

Summary

HB11 would add a new Circuit Judge position (No. 7) in Tuscaloosa County’s Sixth Judicial Circuit, but only if the county funds the first 24 months of pay and benefits for the judge and staff, with the judge to be elected in 2016.

What This Bill Does

Creates an additional circuit judgeship in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County). The position depends on the county adopting a funding resolution to cover 24 months of compensation for the judge, a judicial assistant, and a court reporter. The new judge would be elected in the 2016 general election and would serve a six-year term, with standard powers and duties of a circuit judge; compensation follows state rules and does not include a salary supplement for judges first elected after October 1, 2001. The appointment can proceed only if the election is precleared under the Voting Rights Act and the funding resolution is in place.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Tuscaloosa County and users of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, who could see changes in court capacity and access due to the added judge.
• Tuscaloosa County government (County Commission), potential candidates for Circuit Judge 7, and voters in the 2016 election, who must fund, elect, and staff the new judgeship, subject to preclearance.

Key Provisions

• Creates Circuit Judgeship Number 7 in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County).
• Judgeship is conditional on the Tuscaloosa County Commission adopting a resolution to fund the judge’s and staff’s compensation and benefits for the first 24 months.
• The new judgeship shall be filled at the 2016 general election if precleared under the Voting Rights Act and funding is approved.
• The initial judge serves a six-year term with standard jurisdiction and duties of a circuit judge.
• Compensation follows Chapter 10A of Title 12; no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.
• Effective immediately 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

Tuscaloosa County