SB161 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

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

Summary

SB 161 would create a new circuit judge seat in Lee County (Circuit Judgeship No. 4) to be filled by election, with a six-year term and salary rules set by state law.

What This Bill Does

It adds an extra circuit judgeship in the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit (Lee County). The seat would be filled by election at the 2018 general election or the next general election, and the first person elected would serve a six-year term starting the January after the election. The new judge would have the same powers and duties as other circuit judges, and their pay would follow state law, including a rule that judges first elected after October 1, 2001 do not receive a salary supplement or expense allowance. The act would take effect immediately after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Residents and voters in Lee County, who would gain an additional circuit judge and potentially see changes in local court handling.
• Individuals who may run for the new seat (Circuit Judgeship No. 4) in the 2018 or later elections, who would serve a six-year term under standard state compensation rules.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship for the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit in Lee County, designated Circuit Judgeship Number 4, to be filled at the 2018 general election or the next general election thereafter.
• Establishes a six-year term for the first judge elected to Circuit Judgeship Number 4, with the judge having the same powers and responsibilities as other circuit judges and compensation governed by state law (no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected after Oct. 1, 2001).

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