SB68 Summary

• Authorizes former appellate court judges to serve as private judges, in addition to former district and circuit court judges, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements including six years of prior judicial service and Alabama bar membership.

• Prohibits private judges from simultaneously serving as special or senior judges, and clarifies that accepting active duty status or such appointments does not disqualify an otherwise qualified former judge.

• Allows private judge cases to be heard in the courthouse of the county where the case was filed, at any time and any place in Alabama, with notice to the clerk at least three days before proceedings.

• Expands eligible case types to include domestic relations, contract, tort, or combinations thereof, and requires all proceedings to be filed with the circuit court clerk and made available to the public like circuit court records.

• Effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.