AL SB440

Creates an additional district judgeship (number 3) in the Thirty-second Judicial Circuit comprised of Cullman County.

Governor appoints the initial judge following preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the position must then be filled by election at the next general election after the appointed judge completes one year in office.

First elected judge serves a six-year term beginning the first Monday following the second Tuesday in January after election.

New district judge has same jurisdiction, powers, qualifications, duties, and responsibilities as other district judges and receives compensation per Chapter 10A, Title 12, Code of Alabama 1975, with no salary supplement or expense allowance for judges appointed or elected after October 1, 2001.

Conditionally appropriates funds from the State General Fund to fully fund the judgeship for the fiscal year it is filled and the following fiscal year if not otherwise provided in appropriation acts, contingent on fund availability, Director of Finance recommendation, and Governor approval.