SB 81

Under existing law, the county commission of a county has the sole power to locate and relocate the state courts within the county

This bill proposes a local constitutional amendment for Clay County relating to the location of the state courts which would prohibit the removal of the state courts from the present location at the historical Clay County Courthouse

To propose a local constitutional amendment for Clay County relating to the location of the state courts; to prohibit the removal of the state courts from the present location at the historical Clay County Courthouse.

Section 1

The following amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, is proposed and shall become valid as a part of the Constitution when all requirements of this act are fulfilled: PROPOSED AMENDMENT (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares: (1) The Clay County Courthouse is a neoclassical revival structure that was designed by C.W. Carlton and completed and dedicated in 1906. The building is surmounted by an impressive two-story high rotunda with a domed roof and cupola that is topped with a sculpture holding the scales of justice. (2) The courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 21, 1976, and was restored in 2006 with donations and grants from federal, state, and local governments. (3) The courthouse houses the Justice Hugo L. Black Courtroom, designated by the Clay County Commission on April 12, 1993. (b) Upon the ratification of this amendment, the state courts located in Clay County may not be moved from the present location at the historical Clay County Courthouse, provided the structure is standing and habitable.

Section 2

An election upon the proposed amendment shall be held in accordance with Sections 284 and 284.01 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Sections 284 and 284.01 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, and the election laws of this state.

Section 3

The appropriate election official shall assign a ballot number for the proposed constitutional amendment on the election ballot and shall set forth the following description of the substance or subject matter of the proposed constitutional amendment:

Relating to Clay County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, prohibiting the removal of the state courts from the historical Clay County Courthouse.

Proposed by Act _________" This description shall be followed by the following language:

Yes ( ) No ( )."