HB68 Summary

• Authorizes the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama to temporarily assign circuit or district judges from one judicial circuit to another for reasonable periods to address court congestion, case backlogs, and delays.

• Requires the Chief Justice to consider all relevant circumstances regarding judicial needs of affected circuits when determining assignment duration, and mandates reimbursement of travel and maintenance expenses from the State Treasury.

• Empowers presiding circuit judges to assign circuit or district court judges within their circuit or to district courts, after evaluating currency, congestion, and backlog of civil and criminal cases.

• Requires presiding judges to issue assignments in writing sent to assigned judges as soon as practicable, with oral notification permitted temporarily, and copies filed with the Administrative Director of Courts and relevant court offices.

• Exempts Jefferson County from all provisions and becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.