SB506 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Tuscaloosa Co., judge of probate, elected to serve as both judge of probate and chair of county commission, may resign as judge of probate and serve the remainder of term as chair, Act 85-106, 1985 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Summary

SB506 would let a Tuscaloosa County probate judge who also serves as county commission chair resign the probate job while staying as chair, with future chairs elected countywide and the chair paid $105,000 a year.

What This Bill Does

It keeps the chair as the Probate Judge and allows that judge to preside and vote like other commissioners. It adds an option for a sitting judge of probate who is also chair to resign the probate office, with the Governor’s acceptance, and continue as chair for the remainder of the term. A successor to the chair would be elected countywide in a general election before the end of that term, take office with the other commissioners, and serve the same term; the chair under this provision would be paid $105,000 per year from the county general fund. The bill also notes that after this act, future chairs would be elected by the whole county (countywide).

Who It Affects

• The Tuscaloosa County judge of probate who also serves as chair of the county commission would have the option to resign from the probate office but remain as chair, subject to the Governor’s acceptance.
• Tuscaloosa County residents and the county government, because future chairs would be elected countywide (at-large) and the chair would receive a $105,000 annual salary from the county general fund.

Key Provisions

• Section 3(a): The county chair is the Probate Judge of Tuscaloosa County, who presides over meetings and has a vote, while the probate judge remains elected and governed by existing law.
• Section 3(b): If the elected judge of probate who is also chair resigns from the probate office but continues as chair, the Governor must accept the resignation; the person stays as chair for the remainder of the term, a successor to the chair is elected from the county at-large at the November general election before the end of the term, takes office with other commissioners, and serves the same term; the chair would earn $105,000 annually from the county general fund.
• Section 2: The act becomes effective immediately after it passes and is approved by the Governor.
• Future chairs of the county commission would be elected countywide thereafter.

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

Subjects

Tuscaloosa County