HB515 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David StandridgeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Special judges, compensation, at a sum not to exceed one hundred per day and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses, Sec. 12-1-14.1 am'd.

Summary

HB 515 would let presiding circuit court judges set and pay compensation and expenses for temporary special judges from their own discretionary funds, rather than from the State Treasury or Administrative Office of Courts, and would define temporary service as up to 180 consecutive days with possible reappointments.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the presiding circuit court judge could appoint special circuit court judges, district court judges, or probate judges for temporary service and determine their pay. Payments and reimbursements for these judges could come from the presiding judge's discretionary funds, not required to come from the State Treasury or AOC-approved funds. The bill defines temporary service as up to 180 consecutive days and allows reappointment for additional periods beyond that.

Who It Affects

• Special circuit court judges, district court judges, and judges of probate appointed for temporary service would receive compensation determined by the presiding circuit court judge and reimbursement for expenses.
• Presiding circuit court judges and the judiciary administration would gain the authority to fund and determine compensation from discretionary funds, reducing mandatory funding from the State Treasury or Administrative Office of Courts.

Key Provisions

• Compensation for temporary special judges may be set by the presiding circuit court judge and reimbursed for actual expenses (e.g., transportation, food, lodging).
• Payments may be made from funds within the presiding judge's discretion, not required to be from the State Treasury or AOC-approved funds.
• Temporary service is defined as up to 180 consecutive days, with possibility of reappointment for additional periods beyond 180 days.
• Presiding circuit court judge is authorized to appoint and commission temporary special judges under the revised section 12-1-14.1, with the judges possessing the necessary qualifications and powers.

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

Subjects

Judges