SB90 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Jefferson Co., judges, circuit or district, temporary assignment, prohibiting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from assigning circuit or district judge to serve within another judicial circuit, Secs. 12-9A-7, 12-9A-8 am'd.

Summary

SB90 would allow Jefferson County to participate in temporary cross-circuit judge assignments by removing prohibitions and applying existing assignment rules in Jefferson County.

What This Bill Does

It would let the Chief Justice temporarily assign Jefferson County circuit or district judges to serve in other circuits to reduce congestion and backlog, with travel and related expenses reimbursed. It would also let the presiding circuit judge assign judges within the circuit or to district courts within the circuit, based on needs and with written orders and notifications. The bill would also allow reassignment of court staff to support these judges and repeals the prohibition that Jefferson County is exempt from these provisions.

Who It Affects

• Jefferson County judges and court staff who could be temporarily reassigned to other circuits or supported by staff reallocations, with travel and related expenses reimbursed.
• Jefferson County residents and court users whose case scheduling and processing may change due to temporary cross-circuit or intra-circuit judge assignments.

Key Provisions

• Repeals the prohibition that Jefferson County cannot participate in cross-circuit assignments, allowing temporary assignments by the Chief Justice from Jefferson County to other circuits.
• Allows the Chief Justice to assign Jefferson County circuit or district judges to serve in other circuits for a period to address congestion, delays, or backlog, with travel and maintenance expenses reimbursed.
• Allows the presiding circuit judge to assign judges within the circuit or to district courts within the circuit, with needs evaluated and assignments made by written order and proper notification.
• Authorizes the reassignment of judicial staff (secretaries, bailiffs, court reporters) within the circuit to support these assignments.
• Ties the act to become effective on the first day of the third month after the bill passes and is approved.

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

Subjects

Judicial Circuits