SJR98 Summary

• Establishes the Interim Alabama Judicial System Study Commission comprised of 14 categories of members including the Chief Justice, appellate and circuit judges, clerks, attorneys, legislators, and gubernatorial appointees.

• Designates the Alabama Law Institute as staff to provide research, recommendations, and draft proposals for the commission's review.

• Commission shall study and propose to the Legislature on: judicial system structure and operations, jurisdictional structure by subject and amount, court fees and costs, compensation and benefits for judges and court employees, and review of existing judicial commissions.

• Commission must submit final report by the third legislative day of the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, after which the commission dissolves; report published on Alabama State Bar and Administrative Office of Courts websites and provided to Governor and Finance Director.

• Commission members serve without compensation, per diem, or expense reimbursement, with membership required to reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.