SB328 is a local act affecting Jackson County that revises the compensation structure for the county judge of probate. Beginning October 1, 2025, the judge of probate’s salary will be set at $132,000 per year, paid from the county general fund. The bill specifies that this salary replaces any other compensation, expense allowance, or fees that may have applied before that date.
The bill also provides that, after October 1, 2025, the judge of probate will receive the same uniform compensation increases, including cost-of-living adjustments, that are granted equally to all Jackson County employees. It further repeals two existing code sections governing the Jackson County judge of probate’s compensation, thereby replacing the prior statutory framework with the new salary arrangement.
Impact
SB328 amends local law for Jackson County by establishing a new fixed salary for the judge of probate and eliminating prior compensation provisions in Sections 45-36-83 and 45-36-83.01 of the Code of Alabama 1975. The measure shifts the office to a salary-based compensation model funded by the county general fund and ties future increases to countywide employee raises, while preserving the county’s ability to apply uniform cost-of-living or other general compensation adjustments.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received favorably and passed without opposition in both chambers. Recorded votes were unanimous, with no nays in the House or Senate, suggesting broad agreement on the compensation revision for the Jackson County probate judge.
Contention
There is little evidence of controversy in the available record. Because the bill is a local legislation measure setting compensation for a single county office, any potential points of contention would likely center on the salary level, the use of county general funds, or the repeal of prior fee-based compensation provisions. However, the unanimous votes and absence of committee transcript objections indicate no notable opposition was raised in the legislative process.