SB103 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Administrative Director of Courts, appointed by Supreme Court, 12-year term established, hiring duties established, Secs. 12-2-7.1, 12-5-9.1 added; Secs. 12-2-30, 12-5-2 am'd.

Summary

SB103 would have the Supreme Court appoint the Administrative Director of Courts by majority vote, give that director a 12-year term, allow removal by majority vote, and authorize hiring all staff for the Administrative Office of Courts.

What This Bill Does

It shifts the appointment of the Administrative Director of Courts from the Chief Justice to the Supreme Court as a body. The Director would serve a 12-year term and could be removed for cause by majority vote. The Director would appoint and employ all officials and employees of the Administrative Office of Courts, with salaries set by the court and funded from funds appropriated to the Administrative Office of Courts, and staff would be exempt from the Merit System. The changes would take effect only after a constitutional amendment authorizing Justices to appoint the Director is ratified.

Who It Affects

• Supreme Court justices: gain authority to appoint and remove the Administrative Director of Courts by majority vote, as a body.
• Administrative Director of Courts and Administrative Office of Courts staff: gain a fixed 12-year term, the power to hire all AOC staff, salaries set by the court, funded by the AOC, and exemption from the Merit System.

Key Provisions

• Administrative Director of Courts to be appointed by a majority vote of the Supreme Court Justices (as an entire body) and removable by majority vote for cause.
• Term for the Administrative Director of Courts set at 12 years.
• Administrative Director may appoint and employ all officers and employees of the Administrative Office of Courts; salaries set by the Supreme Court and paid from funds appropriated to the Administrative Office of Courts.
• Staff of the Administrative Office of Courts not subject to the Merit System; appointments and employment outside the Merit System.
• Adds new sections 12-2-7.1 and 12-5-9.1 and amends 12-2-30 and 12-5-2; implementation dependent on ratification of a Constitutional Amendment authorizing appointment by the Justices.

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

Subjects

Administrative Office of Courts