HB637 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe LovvornRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Lee County, Judicial Commission established, circuit and district judges, filling of vacancies, procedures for nominations to Governor, const, amend.

Summary

A constitutional amendment to create the Lee County Judicial Commission to nominate candidates and fill vacancies for Lee County circuit and district court judges.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, it would establish an eight-member Lee County Judicial Commission to nominate three finalists for any judge vacancy and have the Governor appoint one of them (with a fallback appointment by the Chief Justice if the Governor doesn’t act in 30 days). Seven members are practicing attorneys from Lee County (nominated by the Lee County Bar Association and elected by local bar members), one non-lawyer Lee County resident is appointed by legislators. Terms are six years, with a limit of two consecutive terms, and members cannot be paid, hold other public office, or seek judicial appointments while serving. The amendment also specifies how vacancies are filled and that records of elections/nominations are kept by the Lee County Judge of Probate and reports sent to the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Lee County residents, by changing how vacancies for circuit and district court judges are filled in the county.
• Practicing attorneys in Lee County (bar members), who participate in nominating and electing the commission members and influence judge appointments.
• One Lee County resident who is not a lawyer will serve on the commission.
• The Governor and the Chief Justice, who will appoint the final judge from three nominees (Governor) or appoint if the Governor does not act (Chief Justice).

Key Provisions

• Creation of the Lee County Judicial Commission to nominate candidates for vacancies in the circuit and district courts.
• Eight-member commission: seven lawyers (nominated/elected by the Lee County Bar Association and located in Lee County) and one non-lawyer Lee County resident (appointed by legislative consensus).
• Process for filling vacancies: commission nominates three qualified finalists; Governor appoints one; if Governor fails to act within 30 days, the Chief Justice appoints.
• Terms and restrictions: six-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms; members cannot seek judicial office while serving, cannot be paid, and cannot hold elected public office or a political party position.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments