HB48 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Tuscaloosa Co., 6th Judicial Circuit, additional circuit judge, conditioned on funding for compensation and benefits by county commission, election

Summary

HB48 would add Circuit Judgeship Number 7 in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County), but only if the county funds the first 24 months of pay and staff, with the position filled in 2018 following preclearance and election.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new circuit judge seat for the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County) designated as Circuit Judgeship Number 7. The seat is conditioned on the county commission funding the first 24 months of compensation and benefits for the judge, a judicial assistant, and a court reporter. If precleared and the county funds it, the seat would be filled in the 2018 general election, with the judge serving a six-year term and having full judge powers; pay follows state law and excludes certain supplements for judges first elected after October 1, 2001. The act becomes effective once signed by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Tuscaloosa County Commission: must adopt a funding resolution to cover 24 months of compensation and benefits for the new judge and staff.
• The new circuit judge, the judicial assistant, and the court reporter: would receive compensation and benefits for at least the first 24 months if funding is approved.
• Voters and residents of the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County): eligible to elect the new judge in the 2018 general election, subject to federal preclearance under the Voting Rights Act.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, designated Circuit Judgeship Number 7.
• The new judgeship is conditioned on the Tuscaloosa County Commission adopting a resolution to fund the judge's and staff's compensation and benefits for the first 24 months.
• The seat will be filled at the November 2018 general election if precleared under the Voting Rights Act and if the county commission has funded the required costs.
• The first elected judge serves a six-year term and has full duties and authority of a circuit judge.
• Compensation follows Chapter 10A of Title 12, with a specific prohibition on salary supplements or expense allowances for judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

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