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AlabamaHB3552026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Houston County; temporary judge of probate service period extended, compensation of temporary probate judge revised

Sponsored By: Paul W. Lee (Republican)

Enacted

Houston County

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Higher Houston County temporary judge pay

Beginning October 1, 2026, eligible Houston County temporary probate judges receive $100 per hearing, up from $50. The probate judge’s discretionary fund pays this amount. Court employees serving as temporary judges are excluded from this hearing pay. They also cannot receive compensation under the Houston County Personnel Board pay plan.

Houston County extends temporary probate judge terms

Beginning October 1, 2026, Houston County’s elected probate judge can appoint temporary judges to serve alongside the elected judge. Appointments must address crowded calendars, complex issues, potentially long trials, or caseload needs. Each term lasts no more than 180 days and can be renewed for successive 180-day periods or shorter periods. Each temporary judge can hold hearings on no more than 200 days per fiscal year. Eligible appointees include qualified county voters and qualified court employees licensed to practice law in Alabama. Temporary judges have the probate judge’s authority, and their rulings carry the same legal force and remain subject to revision or appeal. The elected judge and the bond’s financial backer are not responsible for temporary judges’ or court employees’ acts, failures to act, reports, or decisions during temporary service.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Paul W. Lee

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Sorrells

    Republican • House

  • Rick Rehm

    Republican • House

  • Steve Clouse

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 122 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 455

Yes: 25 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 25 • No: 0

House vote • 2/5/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 274

Yes: 17 • No: 0 • Other: 81

House vote • 2/5/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 55 • No: 0 • Other: 41

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    2/25/2026House

  2. Third Reading in Second House

    2/19/2026Senate

  3. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 455

    2/19/2026Senate

  4. Ready to Enroll

    2/19/2026House

  5. Enrolled

    2/19/2026House

  6. Signature Requested

    2/19/2026Senate

  7. Delivered to Governor

    2/19/2026House

  8. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/17/2026Senate

  9. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/17/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/5/2026House

  11. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 274

    2/5/2026House

  12. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Local Legislation

    2/5/2026Senate

  13. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/5/2026Senate

  14. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/3/2026House

  15. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/3/2026House

  16. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Local Legislation

    1/29/2026House

  17. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/29/2026House

Bill Text

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