SB137 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

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

Summary

Adds an extra circuit judge seat (Circuit Judgeship Number 4) in Lee County’s Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, to be funded by the county for compensation and benefits, with election set for 2020.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a new circuit judgeship in Lee County and sets that seat to be filled at the 2020 general election (or the next general election). The first judge elected to this seat would serve a six-year term starting the January after the election and would have the same powers and duties as other circuit judges. The judge’s pay would follow state rules, specifically Chapter 10A of Title 12, with the rule that judges elected after October 1, 2001 do not receive a salary supplement or expense allowance. The act becomes effective once approved by the Governor, and funding for the compensation and benefits of the new judge would come from the county commission.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Lee County who use or interact with the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, as the new seat could affect court capacity and case handling times.
• Lee County government (county commission), which would be responsible for funding the new judge's compensation and benefits, impacting the county budget.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship for the Thirty-seventh Judicial Circuit, designated Circuit Judgeship Number 4, in Lee County.
• The seat is to be filled at the general election held in November 2020, or the next general election thereafter.
• The first judge elected to Circuit Judgeship Number 4 shall serve a six-year term, beginning the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the election.
• The new judge shall have and exercise all jurisdiction, powers, rights, duties, and qualifications of other circuit judges.
• Annual compensation for the new judge shall follow Chapter 10A of Title 12, Code of Alabama 1975, including the provision that no judge first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001 shall receive a salary supplement or expense allowance.
• The act becomes effective immediately after its passage and approval by the Governor.
• The act is conditioned on funding for the new judge's compensation and benefits by the county commission.

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