SB368 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Lee Co., additional circuit judge, conditioned on funding for compensation and benefits by county commission, election

Summary

SB368 would add a new circuit judge seat in Lee County and set election and pay rules, conditioned on county funding for compensation and benefits.

What This Bill Does

Creates an additional circuit judgeship in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County), designated as Circuit Judgeship Number 4. The seat would be filled in the 2016 general election or the next general election thereafter. The first judge would serve a six-year term and would have the same powers, duties, and jurisdiction as other circuit judges. Compensation would follow the state's Chapter 10A pay rules, including the rule that judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001 do not receive a salary supplement or expense allowance.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Lee County and the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit who would benefit from an additional circuit court judge and potentially faster access to court services.
• Lee County government, specifically the County Commission and local taxpayers, who would be responsible for funding compensation and benefits for the new judge as conditioned by the bill.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship designated as Circuit Judgeship Number 4 in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County).
• Requires the seat to be filled at the 2016 general election or the next general election thereafter, with the first elected judge serving a six-year term starting the January after the election.
• Gives the new judge the same jurisdiction, powers, rights, duties, and qualifications as other circuit judges.
• Sets compensation in accordance with Chapter 10A of Title 12, including the rule that no salary supplement or expense allowance is provided to judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.
• Effective immediately upon passage and governor's approval; funding for compensation and benefits is conditioned on the county commission.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Judicial Circuits