HB502 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

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

Summary

HB502 would create a new circuit judge seat (Circuit Judgeship Number 7) in the Sixth Judicial Circuit for Tuscaloosa County, but only if the county funds the first 24 months of salary and benefits for the judge and staff, with the seat filled in the 2022 election.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new circuit judgeship for Tuscaloosa County that is conditional on the county adopting a funding resolution for the judge and staff for the first 24 months. If funded, the seat is filled in the 2022 general election, and the elected judge would serve a six-year term beginning the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the election. The judge would have full circuit court powers and their pay would follow existing state rules, including a prohibition on salary supplements or expense allowances for judges first elected after October 1, 2001. The act would supersede conflicting laws and take effect once the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Residents and users of the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County), who may benefit from an additional judge and potentially faster court handling if funding is provided.
• Tuscaloosa County government (county commission), which must adopt a funding resolution to cover the specified salaries and staff for the first 24 months.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional circuit judgeship designated Circuit Judgeship Number 7 for the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Tuscaloosa County) contingent on county funding.
• Requires the Tuscaloosa County Commission to adopt a resolution to fund the judge's compensation and benefits, plus funding for a judicial assistant and a court reporter for the first 24 months.
• If funded, the seat is filled in the November 2022 general election; the first judge serves a six-year term beginning the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the election.
• The judge shall have all the powers, duties, and qualifications of other circuit judges; compensation follows Chapter 10A, Title 12, with no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges first elected after October 1, 2001.
• All conflicting laws are repealed and the act becomes effective immediately upon the governor's approval.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