Senate Bill 295 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Montgomery County; probate judge, compensation revised

Summary

SB295 updates Montgomery County probate judge compensation by fixing a base salary, linking future raises to county-wide increases with a cap, and establishing a higher starting salary for the judge serving on June 1, 2025, with the act taking effect June 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It sets the probate judge's annual salary at $88,000 (effective Oct 1, 1996) and requires the payment to come from Montgomery County’s general fund. It allows future increases to match the county’s across-the-board raises but caps any single fiscal-year increase at $3,000. It creates a special provision that starting Oct 1, 2026, the judge serving as probate judge on June 1, 2025 will earn $153,725 per year, instead of any other salary. The act becomes effective on June 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Montgomery County probate judge (current or future) — base salary set at $88,000 with potential annual increases capped at $3,000; a higher $153,725 salary is designated starting Oct 1, 2026 for the judge serving on June 1, 2025.
• Montgomery County government and taxpayers — funding for these salaries comes from the county's general fund, affecting the county budget and annual payroll expenses.

Key Provisions

• Base compensation for the probate judge: $88,000 per year, effective October 1, 1996.
• Payment source: compensation paid out of the general fund of the Montgomery County Commission, like other county employees.
• Annual increases: subsequent increases tied to the same percentage as across-the-board county employee raises, capped at $3,000 per fiscal year.
• Special higher salary: beginning October 1, 2026, the probate judge serving on June 1, 2025 shall receive $153,725 per year, in lieu of any other salary.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective June 1, 2026.

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

Subjects

Montgomery County