SB346 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment establishing the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Commission to nominate candidates to the Governor for vacancies in circuit judge and district attorney positions.

• Creates a five-member commission composed of the Presiding Circuit Judge (non-voting except for ties), the District Attorney or representative, and presidents of local bar associations in the circuit.

• Establishes three county-level judicial commissions (Autauga, Chilton, and Elmore counties) to nominate candidates for district court judge vacancies to the Governor and circuit clerk vacancies to the presiding judge.

• Requires the commissions to submit lists of up to three qualified nominees within 30 days; the Governor or Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court must appoint from the list or request new nominees within specified timeframes.

• Designates circuit judge appointees to serve until the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January following the next general election after one year in office, when the office is filled for a full term.