SB41 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

To provide for an additional circuit judgeship, designated as Circuit Judgeship Number 4, in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit comprised of Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore Counties; to provide for an additional circuit judgeship in the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit comprised of Madison County; to provide for an additional circuit judgeship in the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit comprised of Baldwin County; and to provide for the authority of the judges and for the compensation and benefit of the judges.

Summary

SB41 would create three new circuit judgeships in Alabama (Nos. 4 in the Nineteenth Circuit, 9 in the Twenty-Third Circuit, and 6 in the Twenty-Eighth Circuit) and set rules for their assignment, elections, and pay.

What This Bill Does

Creates three additional circuit judgeships: Circuit Judgeship Number 4 in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit (Autauga, Chilton, Elmore), Circuit Judgeship Number 9 in the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit (Madison County), and Circuit Judgeship Number 6 in the Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit (Baldwin County). The judge for Judgeship Number 4 may reside anywhere in the Nineteenth Circuit and will be assigned to the domestic relations division of that circuit. These positions would be filled at the next general election after the act takes effect, and the initial judges would serve six-year terms beginning after the election. Initial judges would have full jurisdiction and duties of circuit judges, and their compensation and benefits would follow existing Alabama law (Chapter 10A, Title 12), including the salary supplement/expense allowance limits for judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.

Who It Affects

• Residents of Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore Counties (Nineteenth Circuit) who may see an additional judge and potentially faster handling of cases, including domestic relations.
• Residents of Madison County (Twenty-Third Circuit) who may see an additional judge and potential improvements in caseload management.
• Residents of Baldwin County (Twenty-Eighth Circuit) who may see an additional judge and potential improvements in caseload management.
• Current and future circuit judges in these circuits, who will be governed by standard compensation rules and the restriction on salary supplements or expense allowances for those first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001.

Key Provisions

• Creates three new circuit judgeships: Nineteenth Circuit Number 4, Twenty-Third Circuit Number 9, and Twenty-Eighth Circuit Number 6.
• Designates residency rules: Judge for Number 4 may reside anywhere in the Nineteenth Circuit and will serve in the domestic relations division.
• Filing and term rules: The new judgeships will be filled at the next general election after the act takes effect; initial judges serve six-year terms beginning after the election.
• Jurisdiction and duties: Initial judges will have all the jurisdiction, powers, rights, and duties of circuit judges and will perform the typical responsibilities of the office.
• Compensation and benefits: Pay and benefits follow Chapter 10A of Title 12; the salary supplement or expense allowance rule for judges first elected or appointed after October 1, 2001 applies.

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