HB354 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim HillRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: District Attorneys, diminishing compensation during term prohibited, constitutional amendment
Summary: HB354 would amend Alabama's Constitution to protect district attorney compensation during their term and set related terms for DAs, clerks, and constables.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, the compensation of a district attorney may not be diminished during their term. The amendment sets the district attorney's term at six years and requires the DA to be elected by qualified voters, licensed to practice law in Alabama, and to reside in the circuit. It also establishes six-year terms for circuit court clerks and outlines vacancy procedures. Additionally, it places constables under the same restrictions as certain constitutional provisions and defines how fines and court costs from district court cases are shared between municipalities and the state.

Who It Affects
District attorneys: compensation cannot be reduced during their term and they must have a six-year term with election, licensing, and residency requirements.
Circuit court clerks, constables, municipalities, and the state: clerks would have six-year terms with vacancy rules; constables face the same restrictions as a referenced constitutional provision; and revenue from fines, forfeitures, and district court costs from municipal ordinances would be shared between municipalities and the state.

Key Provisions
Compensation for district attorneys may not be diminished during the term of office.
District attorneys shall serve six-year terms, be elected by qualified electors, be licensed to practice law in Alabama, and reside in their circuit.
Circuit court clerks shall serve six-year terms; vacancies are filled by law; if applicable, the clerk filling office follows prescribed methods; vacancies are filled by circuit court judges as specified.
Constables shall be subject to the same restrictions as Section 280 of the 1901 Constitution and may receive fees for official duties while holding other offices.
Revenue from fines, forfeitures, and district court costs from municipal ordinances shall be apportioned between the municipality and the state as provided by law.

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