AL HB685

Authorizes Jefferson County judge of probate to implement improved digital system for indexing, recording, archiving, and retrieving documents using optical disks, magnetic tapes, solid state memory devices, or other electronic methods.

Establishes special indexing and filing fee of $11 per document or instrument, effective June 1, 2012, collected by the judge of probate in addition to all other required fees.

Allocates collected fees with 50 percent retained by the probate office for system maintenance, equipment, and confidential judicial assistant salaries, and 50 percent distributed to Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.

Authorizes judge of probate to appoint confidential judicial assistants with salaries up to salary grade level 23, entitled to same benefits as merit system employees and eligible for county pension plans.

Increases chief clerk of probate court salary from $10,000 to $20,000 annually when serving in civil service position with the probate court.