HB550 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Sections 12-2-1, 12-3-1, 12-11-1, and 12-12-1 to establish new qualifications for judicial appointments.

• Prohibits persons appointed after January 1, 2013 to fill vacant judicial positions on the Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, circuit court, or district court from having been members of the Alabama Legislature within two years of their appointment.

• Applies the two-year restriction from legislative service to all five levels of state courts addressed in the bill.

• Becomes effective January 1, 2013, upon passage and approval by the Governor or upon otherwise becoming law.