SB179 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rodger SmithermanSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Jefferson Co., judges, circuit or district, temporary assignment, prohibiting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from assigning circuit or district judge to serve within another judicial circuit, Secs. 12-9A-7, 12-9A-8 am'd.
Summary: SB 179 would apply temporary judge assignment rules to Jefferson County, allowing cross-circuit judge moves to reduce delays and backlogs with practical rules and reimbursements.
What This Bill Does
The bill repeals the current Jefferson County exemption, making temporary cross-circuit assignments applicable there. It lets the Chief Justice assign a judge from one circuit to another for a reasonable period to address congestion and backlog, considering the needs of the circuits involved. It also lets the presiding circuit judge assign judges within the circuit or to the circuit's district courts, with written orders, notifications, and potential reassignment of staff, along with travel and maintenance expense reimbursements. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects
Jefferson County circuit and district judges and court staff, who could be reassigned to other circuits or have staff reassigned to support cross-circuit assignments.
Judges and court staff in other Alabama circuits, who could receive temporary assignments from Jefferson County or other circuits to help address congestion and backlog.

Key Provisions
Repeals the provisions that exclude Jefferson County from the temporary judge assignment rules, making the process applicable in Jefferson County.
Authorizes the Chief Justice to assign a circuit or district judge from one circuit to serve in another circuit for a reasonable period to address congestion, delays, or backlog, based on the needs of the circuits.
Allows the presiding circuit judge to assign judges within the circuit or to the circuit's district courts, with written orders, timely notification, and filing of copies with the Administrative Director of Courts; permits reassignment of judicial staff (secretaries, bailiffs, court reporters) as needed.
Provides for reimbursement of travel and maintenance expenses for judges assigned to serve in another circuit.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

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