SB227 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to establish the Mobile County Judicial Commission effective January 15, 2023, to nominate candidates for circuit court and district court judge vacancies in Mobile County.

• Commission composed of 5 members: 2 Alabama State Bar members elected by bar members, 2 non-lawyers elected by Mobile County legislators, and 1 circuit court judge elected by circuit judges (who serves as chair).

• All commission members must reside in Mobile County's territorial jurisdiction, serve 6-year terms with staggered initial terms of 1-5 years, receive no compensation, and cannot hold public office or political party positions.

• Commission shall nominate 3 qualified persons to the Governor for each vacancy by majority vote; Governor must appoint within 90 days or the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court makes the appointment.

• Amendment is self-executing and requires voter ratification through election conducted under Alabama election laws, with ballot language describing the judicial nominating commission provision.