SB99 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

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

Summary

Creates an additional circuit judge seat in Lee County's Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, conditioned on county funding for compensation and benefits.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds Circuit Judgeship Number 4 in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County). It would be filled in the November 2018 general election or the next general election thereafter, with the first judge serving a six-year term starting the January after the election. The new judge would have the same powers, duties, and qualifications as other circuit judges and would be paid under the existing state rules, including the rule that judges elected after October 1, 2001 receive no salary supplements or expense allowances. The act would take effect immediately after passage and governor's approval, and funding for compensation and benefits would be conditioned on the county commission.

Who It Affects

• Lee County residents in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, who would gain an additional circuit judge to handle cases.
• Lee County government (county commission), which would determine funding for the new judge's compensation and benefits as implied by the bill's title and funding condition.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship designated Circuit Judgeship Number 4 in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County).
• The seat shall be filled at the general election held in November 2018, or the next general election thereafter.
• The first judge elected to Circuit Judgeship Number 4 serves a six-year term and takes office the January after the election.
• The elected judge has the same jurisdiction, powers, rights, and duties as other circuit judges.
• Compensation follows Chapter 10A of Title 12, including no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.
• The act becomes effective immediately following passage and governor's approval, with funding conditioned on the county commission.
• The bill relies on county funding for compensation and benefits for the new judge.

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