SB227 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Vivian Davis FiguresSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

David SessionsJack W. Williams

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Mobile Co., judicial nominating commission established for circuit court and district court vacancies after January 2023, const. amend.

Summary

A constitutional amendment to create a Mobile County Judicial Commission that will nominate candidates for circuit and district court vacancies after January 15, 2023, with a defined appointment process by the Governor and a fallback to the Chief Justice if needed.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a five-member Mobile County Judicial Commission (two bar members, two non-bar members, and one circuit court judge) who must live in Mobile County and who together nominate three qualified people for each vacancy to the Governor. The bar members are elected by the Mobile County bar, the non-bar members are elected by Mobile County legislators, and the circuit judge member is elected by the circuit judges and serves as chair. The Governor must appoint one of the three nominees within 90 days; if the Governor does not act, the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court may appoint. Terms are six years for most members, with specific initial term lengths for the first elected members, and members cannot succeed themselves or be nominated for Governor during their term; compensation is not provided and members cannot hold other public office or party roles.

Who It Affects

• Mobile County residents who are Alabama State Bar members (two seats on the commission, elected by bar members) and Mobile County residents who are not lawyers (two seats on the commission, elected by Mobile County legislators).
• Officials involved in the vacancy process and appointment: the Governor (appoints from three nominees within 90 days) and, if needed, the Chief Justice (appoints if the Governor does not act).

Key Provisions

• Creation of the Mobile County Judicial Commission to nominate three candidates for each circuit or district court vacancy in Mobile County after January 15, 2023.
• Commission composition: 2 Alabama State Bar members, 2 non-bar members, and 1 circuit court judge; all members must reside in Mobile County; the circuit judge member serves as chair.
• Election of members: bar members elected by the Mobile County bar; two non-bar members elected by Mobile County legislators; circuit judge elected by Mobile County circuit judges.
• Terms and restrictions: six-year terms (with initial shorter terms for the first elected members); no member may succeed themselves or be nominated for Governor during their term; most members cannot hold public office or party positions; the committee member who is a judge may hold public office.
• Vacancy process: upon a vacancy after 1/15/2023, the commission nominates three qualified candidates; the Governor appoints one from those three within 90 days; if not, the Chief Justice appoints; the process is self-executing.

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

Subjects

Mobile County