Alabama House Bill HB323

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/22
• Refer: 2/9/22
• Engrossed: 3/9/22
• Refer: 3/10/22

Caption

Justices and judges, revise compensation received by retired justices and judges who are called to active duty, Secs. 12-18-10, 12-18-61 am'd.

Impact

By revising the compensation terms, HB323 seeks to enhance the ability of retired judges to contribute to the judicial system when called upon, especially in times of increased caseload or staffing shortages. The bill establishes guidelines and prerequisites for retired judges to assume interim active duty status, including requirements for certification by the Chief Justice and other relevant judicial authorities. The changes aim to ensure that retired judges can effectively support the judicial system while receiving fair compensation for their contributions during active duty assignments.

Summary

House Bill 323 amends existing Alabama law regarding the compensation of retired justices and judges who are called back into active duty. The bill revises the provisions in Sections 12-18-10 and 12-18-61 of the Alabama Code. It aims to update the compensation structure that retired judges receive when they serve in an interim capacity, ensuring that such compensation is reflective of their previous roles while adhering to certain limitations. The proposed changes also involve nonsubstantive revisions for clarity and modernization of the code language.

Contention

Notable points of contention in the discussions surrounding HB323 center on the adequacy of compensation and the conditions under which retired judges are called back to active duty. Some stakeholders argue that the new compensation structure may not adequately incentivize qualified retired judiciaries to return to service, particularly when faced with the complexities of modern judicial workloads. There are also concerns about the potential increase in the number of retired judges called to active duty, which may affect the dynamics within the judicial system, particularly regarding accountability and performance standards during their service.