HB407 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Judges of Probate, judicial retirement, contributions by counties for the employer's share, Secs. 12-18-1, 12-18-3, 12-18-82, 12-18-133 am'd.

Summary

HB407 would shift probate judges’ retirement contributions from the state to county governments and allow judges to buy extra retirement credits in the Judicial Retirement Fund.

What This Bill Does

The counties would pay monthly employer contributions for probate judges' retirement—covering normal contributions, accrued liability, and administrative expenses—into the Judicial Retirement Fund. Probate judges who meet certain years of service could purchase up to 12 additional months of credit in the Judicial Retirement Fund, paying an amount based on current judge and state contributions and due at least 30 days before retirement. The bill discusses local-funding rules under Amendment 621, but Section 2 says the act is excluded from those requirements because it defines a new crime or amends a crime. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Probate judges — their retirement contributions would be paid by counties rather than the state, and they would have the option to purchase up to 12 extra months of retirement credit if they have enough service time.
• Counties — they would be responsible for monthly employer contributions to the Judicial Retirement Fund for probate judges, which could affect local budgets.

Key Provisions

• Sections amended to require counties to pay the employer contributions for probate judges' retirement (normal contribution, accrued liability, and administrative expenses) into the Judicial Retirement Fund, with rates set by the actuarial needs.
• Allows probate judges with sufficient creditable service to elect up to 12 additional months of retirement credit in the Judicial Retirement Fund, with payment to the fund equal to the combined annual monthly contributions of the judge and the state, due at least 30 days before retirement.
• Includes a clause about Amendment 621 local-funding rules, stating the act is excluded from those requirements because it would define a new crime or amend a crime.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after the bill is passed and signed into law.

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