HB505 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Judges, vacancies, initial term of judges appt. to fill, further provided for, Amendment 328, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, am'd, const. amend.

Summary

HB505 would change how long a non-probate judge appointed to fill a vacancy serves before standing for a full term, with certain counties following existing rules or local laws.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the amendment would set the initial term for a judge, other than a probate judge, appointed to fill a vacancy to last until the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the next general election, after the judge has completed two years in office or the remainder of the original term, whichever is longer. At the end of that initial term, the judicial office would be filled for a full term of office. The bill also preserves current vacancy procedures for certain counties: Jefferson County vacancies continue to be filled as provided by amendments 83 and 110, while vacancies in a specified list of other counties would be filled under the Constitution with amendments or by locally enacted law.

Who It Affects

• Judges who are appointed to fill vacancies (non-probate) — their initial term length and timing of subsequent elections would change.
• Residents and voters in Alabama counties with special vacancy rules (Jefferson, Shelby, Madison, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Clarke, Washington, Henry, Etowah, Walker, Tallapoosa, Pickens, Greene, Tuscaloosa, St. Clair) — the method and timing of how vacancies are filled in those counties could be affected.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 6.14 of Amendment 328 to modify the initial term for judges (excluding probate judges) appointed to fill a vacancy.
• The initial term lasts until the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the next general election, after the judge has completed two years in office or the remainder of the original term, whichever longer.
• After the initial term, the office is filled for a full term beginning at the end of the appointed term.
• Jefferson County vacancies shall be filled as currently provided by amendments 83 and 110 to the Constitution; vacancies in the listed counties shall be filled as provided by the Constitution with amendments or by locally established law.

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