SB198 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Courts, Administrative Director of Courts, appointment by the Supreme Court of Alabama, procedure established

Summary

SB 198 creates a new nominating commission to fill vacancies for the Administrative Director of Courts and sets how the director is appointed by the Supreme Court, with a 10-year term and an interim process, effective after a constitutional amendment ratifies.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Administrative Director Nominating Commission, composed of six specified members representing judges at different levels, a circuit clerk, and a state bar member, with diversity and residency requirements. When a vacancy occurs, the Chief Justice notifies relevant associations, which have 30 days to appoint members; if seats remain unfilled, the Chief Justice fills them. The commission then selects a chair and nominates three candidates within 90 days, and the Supreme Court chooses one of those candidates to fill the vacancy (with the option to request three more); after selection, the commission's work ends for that vacancy. The Administrative Director serves a 10-year term (removable by majority vote of the Supreme Court), may have a one-time 10-year term extension, and an interim director can be appointed during vacancies; the measure becomes effective only after the constitutional amendment is ratified.

Who It Affects

• Administrative Director of Courts and the Alabama court system, by changing how vacancies are filled, limiting the interim period, and tying the director's term to a 10-year period under Supreme Court supervision.
• Judges associations, circuit clerks, the Alabama State Bar, and the Supreme Court/Chief Justice, which participate in appointing commission members, selecting the director, and overseeing the new nomination and appointment process (including diversity and conflict-of-interest rules).

Key Provisions

• Creates the Administrative Director of Courts Nominating Commission to nominate candidates for any vacancy in the Administrative Director of Courts.
• Commission composition: one active or retired circuit judge, one district judge, one probate judge, one municipal judge, one circuit clerk, and one member of the state Board of Bar Commissioners; all residents of Alabama with at least 90 days in-state residence and diversity requirements.
• Commission members serve until a vacancy is filled; no salary, but travel reimbursement allowed; members cannot hold public office or political party positions and cannot be nominated for the director position.
• Vacancy procedure: Chief Justice notifies six organizations, they appoint members within 30 days; if unfilled, the Chief Justice appoints; commission selects a chair and nominates three candidates within 90 days; nominations require majority support from the commission.
• The Supreme Court selects one of the three nominees by majority vote; the Court may request three additional candidates; if the chosen candidate declines, the Court may choose from remaining candidates.
• Once a candidate is selected and accepts, the commission's work ends for that vacancy; the director’s term subsequently begins.
• Director term is 10 years, removable by majority Supreme Court vote; salary set by the Chief Justice with majority approval; director serves under the Chief Justice’s supervision.
• The Supreme Court may extend the director’s term by one additional 10-year term, but only once and six months before the term ends.
• An interim director may be appointed to serve until the vacancy is filled, but not for more than six months.
• Effective date is the date of ratification of the constitutional amendment authorizing the Supreme Court to appoint the Administrative Director of Courts.

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

Subjects

Courts