SB82 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Will Barfoot

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Judges, to further provide for the initial appointment to a newly created judgeship, const. amend.

Summary

SB82 would let the Legislature appoint the first judge for a newly created judgeship, instead of requiring an immediate election, with the appointment following the same process used to fill vacancies.

What This Bill Does

It proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Legislature to provide for the initial appointment of a judge to a newly created judgeship, to be filled in the same manner as filling a vacancy. The initial appointment would not be by general election, but through the vacancy-like process. After the initial appointment, the seat would be filled by election like other judgeships. The amendment itself would be decided by voters in a statewide election.

Who It Affects

• Legislature and other state officials who fill judicial vacancies, as they would gain the authority to appoint the first judge for new judgeships using the vacancy process.
• Voters in Alabama, particularly residents of jurisdictions with newly created judgeships, who would participate in elections for the seat after the initial appointment and would see a change in how a new seat is initially filled.

Key Provisions

• Proposes amending Section 152 of the Alabama Constitution to allow the Legislature to provide for the initial appointment of a judge to a newly created judgeship.
• The initial appointment would be filled in the same manner as filling a vacancy (per existing vacancy procedures).
• All judges shall be elected by voters, but this creates an exception for the initial appointment of newly created judgeships.
• The proposed amendment would take effect only if approved by a majority of qualified electors voting on the measure in a statewide election.

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

Subjects

Judges