House Bill 479 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben RobbinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Coosa County; probate judge, sheriff, and revenue commissioner, salary and expense account provided for

Summary

HB479 changes Coosa County pay for the probate judge, sheriff, and revenue commissioner by tying salaries to district court judge pay and repealing the old compensation statute.

What This Bill Does

It sets the probate judge's salary at 70% of a district court judge's pay with equivalent years of service starting October 1, 2026, and links future increases to district court judge raises. For the sheriff and revenue commissioner, it creates a two-step plan: starting October 1, 2026, total pay (salary plus a new expense allowance) equals 60% of a district court judge's salary; for the sheriff, by January 18, 2027, the expense allowance is removed and the salary becomes 60% of a district court judge's salary with no separate allowance. The revenue commissioner follows a similar pattern, with a later date for the removal of the expense allowance (October 1, 2027). The act also repeals the old compensation statute and preserves benefits, while requiring waivers and maintaining expense reimbursements and retirement treatment where specified.

Who It Affects

• Probate Judge of Coosa County: salary set at 70% of district court judge pay starting 2026, with increases tied to district court judge raises; must waive the prior compensation to receive this pay; receives county employee benefits and expense reimbursements.
• Sheriff of Coosa County: current salary continues through the end of the term; from October 1, 2026, total pay equals 60% of district court judge salary plus an expense allowance; from January 18, 2027, salary becomes 60% of district court judge salary with no expense allowance and no county COLA increases; expenses and benefits continue to be provided.
• Revenue Commissioner of Coosa County: current salary continues through the current term; from October 1, 2026, total pay equals 60% of district court judge salary plus an expense allowance; from October 1, 2027, salary becomes 60% of district court judge salary with no expense allowance and no county COLA increases; expenses and benefits continue.

Key Provisions

• Probate Judge: annual salary set at 70% of district court judge salary with equivalent years of service starting October 1, 2026; salary increases follow district court judge increases;
• Probate Judge: must waive any compensation under Section 17-3-60 to receive the new salary; benefits and travel/expense reimbursements provided; paid from county general fund;
• Sheriff: continue to receive current salary through the end of the current term; from October 1, 2026, total pay (salary plus expense allowance) equals 60% of district court judge salary; payable monthly; retirement treatment and benefits apply;
• Sheriff: beginning January 18, 2027, salary becomes 60% of district court judge salary with no expense allowance; sheriff not eligible for further county COLA increases; expenses reimbursed as before;
• Revenue Commissioner: continue current salary through the current term; from October 1, 2026, total pay equals 60% of district court judge salary with an expense allowance; monthly payments; retirement treatment and benefits apply;
• Revenue Commissioner: beginning October 1, 2027, salary becomes 60% of district court judge salary with no expense allowance; not eligible for county COLA increases; expenses reimbursed as before;
• Section 4 repeals Section 45-19-11, eliminating the old compensation framework for the three offices;
• Section 5 makes the act effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 13, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Coosa County