HB315 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to change how vacancies in the Dallas County District Court Judge office are filled, effective for vacancies occurring after January 15, 2021.

• Creates the Dallas County Judicial Commission composed of two Alabama State Bar members elected by local attorneys, two non-lawyers elected by the Dallas County Legislative Delegation, and one Fourth Judicial Circuit judge elected by circuit judges.

• Commission members serve six-year terms (with staggered initial terms of 1-5 years), receive no compensation, cannot hold public office or party positions, and cannot be nominated as judge within six months of serving on the commission.

• When a vacancy occurs, the commission has 60 days to nominate three qualified persons to the Governor; if the commission fails, the Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice selects the three nominees within 10 days, and the Governor appoints one.

• The appointed judge holds office until a successor is elected at the next general election for any state officer occurring at least six months after the vacancy.