SB162 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Chris Elliott

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Judicial circuits and districts, reallocate the number of circuit judges and district judges every 20 years based on population, Secs. 12-11-2, 12-12-1 am'd.

Summary

SB162 would reallocate the number of circuit and district judges in Alabama every 20 years based on population, with planning by a state commission and approval by the Legislature.

What This Bill Does

Starting in 2022 and every 20 years after, the Judicial Resources Allocation Commission would study population data and propose how many circuit judges should sit in each circuit and how many district judges should sit in each district. The Commission would create a population-based scale for assigning judges, and the Legislature would need to pass a general bill to approve the new numbers, with assistance from the Administrative Office of Courts. The Supreme Court would review any proposed changes, and vacancies would be filled according to existing rules (Section 12-9A-2).

Who It Affects

• Circuit and district judges in Alabama, whose numbers in each circuit or district could change every 20 years based on population.
• Judicial Resources Allocation Commission and the Alabama Legislature (with the Supreme Court involved in review), who would plan, approve, and review the reallocations.

Key Provisions

• Begins in 2022 and every 20 years thereafter, the number of circuit judgeships within each circuit shall be reallocated based on population.
• The Judicial Resources Allocation Commission reviews population data (including federal census) and provides the Legislature with a recommended plan for reallocating judges among circuits.
• The Commission creates a scale that assigns one circuit judge per a specified number of residents in each circuit; the Administrative Office of Courts assists as needed.
• The number of circuit judges assigned to each circuit must be approved by a general bill during the 2022 Regular Session and every 20th regular session thereafter.
• Similarly, beginning in 2022 and every 20 years thereafter, the number of district judgeships within each district shall be reallocated based on population; JRAC provides a plan and a population-based scale; the Legislature must approve the changes.
• The Supreme Court reviews any proposed changes in the number of circuit or district judges, per constitutional requirements.
• Vacancies due to death, retirement, resignation, or removal are allocated under Section 12-9A-2.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Judges