HB271 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

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

Summary

HB271 would add a new circuit judge seat in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County) only if the county funds it for 24 months, with election set for 2018.

What This Bill Does

It creates Circuit Judgeship Number 7 in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County). The new seat is contingent on the Tuscaloosa County Commission adopting a resolution to fund the judge and certain staff for 24 months. If funded, the seat would be filled in the 2018 general election, the elected judge would serve a six-year term, and compensation would follow existing law (no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected after October 1, 2001). The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Residents of the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County) who could experience added judicial capacity if the county funds the new seat and staff.
• Tuscaloosa County Commission, which must adopt a funding resolution to provide compensation and benefits for the judge and staff (judge, judicial assistant, and court reporter) for 24 months.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship in the Sixth Judicial Circuit designated as Circuit Judgeship Number 7, conditioned on county funding for 24 months for the judge and specified staff.
• If the county adopts the required resolution, the seat will be filled in the November 2018 general election, with the first judge serving a six-year term and having all the duties and powers of other circuit judges; compensation follows Chapter 10A, with the rule about salary supplements/expense allowances for judges first elected after Oct 1, 2001 still applying.
• Effective date: the act becomes law immediately upon governor's 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