HB201 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Tuscaloosa Co., 6th Judicial Circuit, additional circuit judge, conditioned on funding for compensation and benefits by county commission, election

Summary

This bill would create an additional circuit judge position (Circuit Judgeship Number 7) in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County), conditioned on local funding for the first 24 months.

What This Bill Does

It creates Circuit Judgeship Number 7 in the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Tuscaloosa County. The position is conditional on the Tuscaloosa County Commission passing a resolution to fund the judge’s salary and benefits, plus those of a judicial assistant and a court reporter, for the first 24 months. If funded, the seat would be filled at the 2022 general election; the elected judge would serve a six-year term starting the Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the election and would have the same powers and duties as other circuit judges, with compensation governed by existing law (no salary supplement or expense allowance for post-2001 appointees). The act becomes law immediately upon the governor’s approval.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Tuscaloosa County and users of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, who could see increased judicial capacity and potentially faster access to court services due to an additional judge and staff.
• Tuscaloosa County Commission (local government), which must adopt a funding resolution to cover the new judge and staff for the first 24 months.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship designated Circuit Judgeship Number 7 in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County).
• Makes the new judgeship conditional on the county commission adopting a resolution to fund compensation and benefits for the judge, a judicial assistant, and a court reporter for the first 24 months.
• If the county resolution is adopted, the position is filled at the November 2022 general election.
• The elected judge serves a six-year term and begins the term the Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the election.
• The new judge has all powers, duties, and qualifications of other circuit judges; compensation follows Chapter 10A Title 12, including the rule that no judge elected after October 1, 2001 receives a salary supplement or expense allowance.
• Repeals conflicting laws; becomes effective immediately upon governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Tuscaloosa County