SB286 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Will BarfootTom ButlerClyde ChamblissChris ElliottSteve LivingstonTim Melson

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Courts, Twenty-third Judicial Circuit, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit, additional circuit judge, DeKalb County, district judge, compensation and benefits, election

Summary

SB286 would create four new judgeships (three circuit judges and one district judge) in Alabama across Madison, Autauga/Chilton/Elmore, Baldwin, and DeKalb counties, and sets how they are filled and paid.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds three circuit judgeships: Circuit Judgeship 8 in the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit (Madison County), Circuit Judgeship 4 in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit (Autauga, Chilton, Elmore), and Circuit Judgeship 6 in the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit (Baldwin). It also adds District Judgeship 2 in DeKalb County. These positions will be filled as vacancies beginning October 1, 2021, and the initial judges will have the same authority and duties as other judges in their respective courts. Compensation for the new judges follows existing rules, including that judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001 do not receive salary supplements or expense allowances.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Madison County (Twenty-third Circuit) who may benefit from an additional circuit judge handling cases
• Residents of Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore Counties (Nineteenth Circuit) who may benefit from an additional circuit judge
• Residents of Baldwin County (Twenty-eighth Circuit) who may benefit from an additional circuit judge
• Residents of DeKalb County who will be served by a new District Judge in the District Court
• Judges who will fill the new seats and the broader judicial system budget and compensation processes

Key Provisions

• Creates Circuit Judgeship Number 8 for the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit (Madison County).
• Creates Circuit Judgeship Number 4 for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit (Autauga, Chilton, Elmore).
• Creates Circuit Judgeship Number 6 for the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit (Baldwin).
• Creates District Judgeship Number 2 for the DeKalb County District Court.
• The new judgeships are to be filled as vacancies effective October 1, 2021, with initial appointees serving under Section 153 of the Alabama Constitution and possessing all the powers and duties of their respective offices.
• Compensation for the new circuit and district judges will follow Chapter 10A of Title 12, with the restriction that no judge first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001 may receive a salary supplement or expense allowance.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon approval by the Governor (subject to the vacancy timing noted above).

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

Subjects

Madison County