SB369 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Judge of Probate, compensation, based on percentage of district judge pay based on population categories, fees for preparation of voter lists, deleted, Sec. 17-3-60 am'd; Sec. 12-13-20 repealed

Summary

SB369 changes probate judge pay to be based on a percentage of district court salaries by county population and ends the five-cent-per-name voter list fee, while adding clerical support for voter lists in certain counties.

What This Bill Does

It sets probate judges’ annual salaries as a percentage of the state district court judge’s salary, with the percentage determined by county population category and adjusted for years of service similarly to district judges. It repeals the previous fixed minimum salary framework and eliminates the five-cent-per-name fee for preparing voter lists. It amends voter list preparation rules to allow probate judges to employ assistants, caps the total cost of list preparation, and in counties with 100,000 to 350,000 people requires a clerk for the board of registrars with specified duties and compensation, and it directs counties to provide office space and equipment. The act becomes effective at the start of January 2019, the beginning of the next full term for probate judges.

Who It Affects

• Judges of probate in Alabama counties: their annual salary would be determined as a percentage of district court judge salaries based on county population, with step increases for additional years of probate service.
• County boards of registrars, probate clerks, county treasuries, and eligible voters: the process for producing voter lists changes to include clerical staff paid by the county (up to $250 per month for clerks in certain counties), office space provided by the county, and a cap on overall costs per voter list; the board of registrars gains authority to hire needed clerical help.

Key Provisions

• Section 1(a): Probate judge salary is set as a percentage of a district court judge’s salary based on county population category (Categories 1-2 = 100%, 3-4 = 90%, 5 = 80%, 6 = 70%), with adjustments for years of service and bench time similar to district judges.
• Section 1(b): New probate judge salary rules apply to both new appointees and those with prior probate service, with step increases for continued service up to the district judge ceiling; local variations or fee-based compensation can still apply if provided by law or local policy.
• Section 2: Amends 17-3-60 to allow probate judges to employ assistants; cap total cost of preparing voter lists at 5 cents per name; counties will fund these costs from the county treasury; in counties with 100,000 to 350,000 population, probate judges must employ a clerk to assist the board of registrars, with duties including updating and cleaning the county’s voter list and handling clerical work; clerk paid up to $250 per month and office space must be provided by the county, with the board allowed to purchase equipment and hire clerical help.
• Section 3: Repeals Section 12-13-20, removing the old minimum salary framework for probate judges.
• Section 4: The act takes effect at the start of the next full term for probate judges beginning January 2019.

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