SB331 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator
Democrat
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Barbour County, compensation of the judge of probate further provided for
Summary: SB331 changes Barbour County's judge of probate compensation to a county-set salary starting Oct 1, 2025, replacing fee-based pay with a guaranteed salary and related rules.
What This Bill Does
Starting Oct 1, 2025, the Barbour County Judge of Probate will receive an annual salary set by the Barbour County Commission, at least 70% of the salary of a state district court judge with comparable years of service, and may increase with service years or cost-of-living adjustments. That salary will be paid in equal monthly installments and will replace all prior fees, expenses, or allowances for the judge. A transitional provision from 1997 remains: the judge could also have a salary based on current fees up to $75,000 per year, with those fees directed to the county general fund and office costs paid from county funds, and the salary may be increased in the same way as district court judges. To receive the salary, the judge must waive compensation related to state voter registration list reports; travel expenses will be reimbursed like other county employees. The act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Barbour County Judge of Probate, who will move from a fee-based/fee-plus system to a county-set salary with a floor and potential increases.
Barbour County government and taxpayers, since compensation and office expenses will be paid from the county general fund and the county commission will determine the salary.

Key Provisions
Section 45-3-84.40(a): Beginning Oct 1, 2025, the judge's annual salary is set by the Barbour County Commission, not less than 70% of a state district court judge's salary for equal years of service, plus cost-of-living adjustments; paid monthly; in lieu of other fees/allowances.
Section 45-3-84.40(b): Starting Oct 1, 1997, the judge shall receive a salary equal to all current fees/expenses/compensation, not exceeding $75,000 per year; paid monthly; in lieu of any other compensation; may be increased like a state district court judge.
Section 45-3-84.40(c): All current fees payable to the judge shall be deposited into the county general fund; office expenses paid by the county; the salary replaces prior compensation and is paid from the county general fund.
Section 45-3-84.40(d): The judge must waive compensation under Section 17-3-60 to receive this salary.
Section 45-3-84.40(e): The judge is entitled to travel expense reimbursement like other county employees.
Section 2: The act becomes effective on October 1, 2025.

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