HJR163 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Joint Interim Study Commission on Court Costs, created

Summary

HJR163 creates a Joint Interim Study Commission on Court Costs to study and recommend uniform court costs across Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a broad study commission drawn from legislators, judges, and legal professionals to examine court costs and propose statewide standardization. The commission will prepare a report with recommendations for proposed legislation by the fifth legislative day of the 2026 Regular Session and then be dissolved. It provides for administrative support and sets compensation rules for legislative members while nonlegislative members may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.

Who It Affects

• Legislative members of the study commission (chairs and ranking minority members) who will receive per diem and travel compensation for attending meetings.
• Nonlegislative members (judges, district attorneys, attorneys, clerks, and related officials) who will serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Joint Interim Study Commission on Court Costs to study court costs and recommend uniform costs statewide.
• Defines the commission's membership, including specific legislative leaders, the Chief Justice (as chair), judges, district attorneys, practicing attorneys, clerks, and appointees from professional associations, ensuring broad statewide representation.
• The Chief Justice shall serve as chair; the first meeting must occur within 30 days of passage, with further meetings as needed.
• Administrative and other support for the commission will be provided by the House, Senate, and Legislative Services Agency.
• Legislative members receive compensation, per diem, and travel expenses; nonlegislative members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
• The commission must prepare and submit a report with recommendations for proposed legislation by the fifth legislative day of the 2026 Regular Session, after which the commission dissolves.
• The commission must provide notice of all meetings and share its final report and related documents with the Secretary of State; each appointing authority receives a copy of the resolution.

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

Subjects

Courts & Judges