House Bill 371 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Marcus ParamoreRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Pike County, judge of probate; authorized to exercise equity jurisdiction under certain conditions, Constitutional Amendment

Summary

HB371 would amend the Alabama Constitution to let the Pike County Judge of Probate, if they are a licensed Alabama attorney, hear equity cases originally filed in Pike County Probate Court with the same authority as a circuit court judge.

What This Bill Does

The bill would grant concurrent equity jurisdiction to the Pike County Probate Judge for certain cases that started in the Probate Court, provided the judge is a licensed attorney. The judge would have the powers of a circuit court judge for those cases, and the cases would be handled like circuit court cases with Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure applying unless another law says otherwise. The amendment is self-executing, and the Legislature may pass implementing laws if needed. If ratified, the Code Commissioner would place the amendment in the constitution and may perform non-substantive housekeeping revisions.

Who It Affects

• Pike County residents and parties involved in probate cases in Pike County, who could have access to a probate judge with circuit-like equity powers for eligible cases.
• The Pike County Judge of Probate (who must be a licensed Alabama attorney) who would gain authority to preside over those equity cases, affecting their workload and caseload management.

Key Provisions

• authorizes the Pike County Judge of Probate to exercise equity jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit court in cases originally filed in the Pike County Probate Court, if the judge is a licensed Alabama attorney
• the judge would have the power and authority of a circuit court judge for those cases, and the case would be treated as if filed in circuit court; the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure apply unless otherwise provided by law
• the amendment is self-executing, but the Legislature may enact implementing laws if needed
• upon ratification, the Code Commissioner shall place and number the amendment in the constitution and may perform nonsubstantive revisions; an election would be held to approve the amendment

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pike County