HB57 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

To amend Section 12-17-81 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the salary of all circuit clerks in the Unified Judicial System based on the pay plan adopted by the personnel system of the Unified Judicial System.

Summary

HB57 updates circuit clerks' salaries to follow the Unified Judicial System pay plan, starting in January 2025, with new hires placed at grade 86 step 1 and existing clerks moved to the corresponding grade 86 step and eligible for yearly step increases.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the salary framework for circuit clerks to align with the Unified Judicial System pay plan. Beginning with the January 2025 term, new circuit clerks appointed after that date will have their salaries set at step 1 of pay grade 86, while current clerks receiving pay at grade 84 will move to the corresponding step in grade 86. After that, salaries will increase annually by one step until the maximum step is reached. The changes do not diminish current salaries and do not increase local supplements; the Deputy Circuit Clerk of the Bessemer Division is included in the affected group.

Who It Affects

• Circuit clerks (including the Deputy Circuit Clerk of the Bessemer Division) - their state salaries will be set at grade 86 starting January 2025 for new appointees, and current clerks at grade 84 will move to the corresponding step in grade 86, with annual step increases thereafter.
• Local salary supplements provided to circuit or district clerks are preserved and cannot be increased by this act; existing supplements remain in place as they are.

Key Provisions

• Section 12-17-81 is amended to define terms and tie circuit clerks' salaries to the pay plan adopted by the Unified Judicial System, including the Deputy Circuit Clerk of the Bessemer Division.
• From January 2025 onward, new circuit clerks appointed on/after that date will have salaries fixed at step 1 of pay grade 86; clerks already serving at grade 84 will move to the corresponding step in grade 86; salaries then increase by one step each anniversary until the maximum step is reached.
• Salaries cannot be diminished by this act, and local supplements are not increased by this act; local supplements in effect before the act remain unchanged.
• Effective beginning with the term of office starting January 2025, these changes apply to all circuit clerks as defined and paid from the State Treasury.

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

Subjects

Circuit Clerks, salary based on pay plan of Unified Judicial System