HB158 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul W. LeeRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Houston Co., judge of probate, required to be an attorney licensed in this state, const. amend.
Summary: HB 158 would require the Houston County Judge of Probate to be a licensed Alabama attorney, through a constitutional amendment affecting future probate judges after ratification.
What This Bill Does
It proposes amending the Alabama Constitution to require the Houston County Judge of Probate to be an attorney licensed in Alabama. The requirement would take effect for any future probate judge elected or appointed after the amendment is ratified. The amendment would be voted on statewide in an election, and if approved, future Houston County probate judges would have to meet the Alabama attorney licensing requirement.

Who It Affects
Future Houston County probate judges: must be an Alabama-licensed attorney once the amendment is ratified, for those elected or appointed after ratification.
Alabama voters: will vote in a statewide election to approve or reject the amendment, which determines the qualification change for Houston County's probate judge.

Key Provisions
Section 1: The Houston County Judge of Probate must be an attorney licensed in Alabama, effective upon the election or appointment of any judge of probate after ratification.
Section 2: An election on the proposed amendment shall be held in accordance with the Constitution and Alabama election laws.
Section 3: The appropriate election official shall assign a ballot number and provide the description and ballot language shown to voters (including 'Yes' and 'No' options).

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