HB302 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Matt Fridy
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Probate court, having equity jurisdiction, concurrent with circuit court, civil contempt, powers same as circuit court, Sec. 12-13-9 am'd.
Summary: HB302 would let probate judges in certain counties punish civil contempt the same way circuit court judges do when probate court shares equity jurisdiction with the circuit court.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends Section 12-13-9 to grant the judge of probate in eligible counties the same civil contempt powers as circuit judges. It preserves existing contempt tools (show cause orders and attachments) and sets penalties at up to a $20 fine and up to 24 hours of imprisonment, or both. The act does not apply to counties with populations over 600,000. It becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects
Probate judges in counties where the probate court has concurrent equity jurisdiction with the circuit court, who would gain power to punish civil contempt similar to circuit judges.
Executors, administrators, guardians, and other persons appearing before the probate court in those counties, who could be subject to civil contempt punishment by the probate court under the same standards as the circuit court.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 12-13-9 to grant probate judges in eligible counties the same civil contempt punishment power as circuit court judges.
Keeps existing tools for contempt (show cause orders, attachments) with penalties up to $20 and up to 24 hours in jail, or both.
Excludes counties with population greater than 600,000 from the act’s applicability.
Repeals conflicting laws and makes the act effective immediately upon 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: Judge, Probate