HB472 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ritchie WhortonRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Madison Co., Judicial Commission appointments, appointee to serve for full-term beginning at end of appointment, const. amend.
Summary: HB472 would change how Madison County judges are appointed to fill vacancies by aligning their terms with general vacancy rules and creating a nine-member Madison County Judicial Commission to handle nominations.
What This Bill Does
It changes the term for Madison County circuit or district judges appointed to fill a vacancy so the term matches the general vacancy rules in the Constitution. It also creates a Madison County Judicial Commission with a specified nine-member structure to nominate three candidates for any vacancy, from which the Governor would appoint one (with the Chief Justice able to appoint from the list if the Governor does not act). The commission's nomination process would be public, with open meetings and public records of considered candidates. The amendment would be put to voters in a statewide election with described ballot language.

Who It Affects
Madison County circuit court and district court judges who are appointed to fill vacancies, as their appointment term would align with the general constitutional rules rather than the current Madison County-specific interim term.
Members and participants of the Madison County Judicial Commission (including two Alabama State Bar members, Madison County lawmakers from the House and Senate, and other appointed members), as well as the Governor and the Chief Justice, who would be involved in the nomination and appointment process.

Key Provisions
The term of office for a Madison County circuit or district judge appointed to fill a vacancy will be the same as for judicial vacancies generally, per the Constitution.
A new Madison County Judicial Commission is created with nine members: two State Bar lawyers, two House members representing Madison County, two Senate members representing Madison County, two members appointed jointly by House and Senate, and two additional members not eligible for bar membership; all must reside in Madison County and terms are six years.
When a vacancy occurs, the Commission must nominate three qualified candidates; the Governor appoints one from the list (within 30 days); if the Governor does not appoint, the Chief Justice appoints from the same list; the appointee serves until the next general election and then a full term begins.
Nomination and appointment processes are public: all candidates considered are listed as public records, and nominations are decided by a public vote at a public meeting.

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