SB190 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim McClendon
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Greg Albritton Gerald H. Allen Will Barfoot Tom Butler Donnie Chesteen Chris Elliott Sam Givhan Garlan Gudger Jimmy Holley Andrew Jones Del Marsh Arthur Orr Randy Price Greg J. Reed Dan Roberts Clay Scofield David Sessions Larry Stutts J.T. Waggoner April Weaver
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Redistricting, legal challenges against statewide plans, establish venue before 3-judge panel to hear challenge, Sec. 29-1-2.5 am'd.
Summary: SB190 changes the venue and process for challenges to statewide redistricting plans by creating a three-judge panel appointed by the Chief Justice to hear such cases in Montgomery County.
What This Bill Does
It requires any legal action contesting a statewide redistricting plan to be heard by a three-judge panel, including a Montgomery County circuit judge and two additional judges appointed by the Chief Justice. The two added judges must come from the Northern and Southern districts to ensure regional representation. Cases filed in other courts are transferred to the Montgomery County Circuit Court, with the Chief Justice notified. Appeals go to the Alabama Supreme Court, and the act takes effect immediately after passage.

Who It Affects
Individuals or groups challenging the validity of statewide redistricting plans: must file in Montgomery County and will be heard by a three-judge panel.
Alabama judiciary and court system: requires appointing additional judges, transferring cases, and forming a diverse three-judge panel to hear these challenges.

Key Provisions
Requires any legal action contesting the validity of a statewide redistricting or reapportionment plan to be commenced in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County and heard by a three-judge panel.
Transfers any such case filed in other courts (as of July 3, 2001) to the Montgomery County Circuit Court and requires the assigned judge to send a copy of the filing to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice must appoint two additional circuit judges to join the Montgomery County judge to form a three-judge panel, with one added judge from the Northern District and the other from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama.
The panel must reflect statewide diversity in race, gender, urban/rural background, and economic status; any appeal goes to the Alabama Supreme Court.

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