SB159 Summary

• Replaces the "Judicial Weighted Caseload Study" with a "Judicial Actual Caseload Study" for determining judicial resource needs in Alabama district and circuit courts.

• Requires the Alabama Supreme Court to adopt specific factors for the Judicial Actual Caseload Study by January 1, 2023, including criminal cases by count, civil cases, probate appeals, and reallocation impacts on other judges.

• Prohibits reallocation of judgeships until three years of data is available after the study factors are revised.

• Limits each judicial circuit to losing no more than one judgeship through reallocation in any two-year period.

• Prevents judgeship reallocation once a judicial candidate has qualified to appear on the ballot.