SB15 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Judicial offices, maximum age for election or appointment to judicial office increased to 75 years, Section 6.16 (Section 155, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Summary

SB15 would raise the maximum age to be elected or appointed to a judicial office from 70 to 75.

What This Bill Does

It amends the Constitution to set the age limit for judicial offices at 75. It allows a judge who is over 70 but under 75 to be appointed as a supernumerary judge if they are not eligible for state retirement benefits. It keeps the existing retirement framework the Legislature must establish, including retirement benefits and pensions for judges and their dependents.

Who It Affects

• Judges and prospective judicial nominees who are between ages 70 and 75, who could be appointed as supernumerary judges if not eligible for retirement benefits.
• Judicial appointment authorities who implement and enforce the age rules and retirement provisions.
• Voters in Alabama who will decide whether to approve this constitutional amendment.

Key Provisions

• Increases the maximum age for election or appointment to a judicial office from 70 to 75.
• Allows a judge over 70 but under 75 to be appointed as a supernumerary judge if they are not eligible to receive state judicial retirement benefits.
• Preserves the Legislature's authority to set retirement conditions, retirement benefits, and pensions for judges and their dependents.

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