Alabama Senate Bill SB67

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

• Filed/Read First Time: 7/5/26
• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26
• Report Pass: 1/15/26
• Refer: 1/20/26
• Report Pass: 1/22/26

Caption

Walker County; constitutional amendment, age to qualify for election or appointment as judge of probate increased to age 75

Summary

SB67 is a proposed local constitutional amendment for Walker County, Alabama. It would change the eligibility rules for the office of judge of probate by allowing a person to be elected or appointed if they are not over 75 years old at the time they qualify for election or at the time of appointment. The bill specifically creates an exception to the general constitutional age limit referenced in Section 155 for this county office. If ratified by voters, the amendment would become part of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022 and would apply only to Walker County. The bill also directs election officials to place the measure on the ballot and provides the ballot language that would be used for the local referendum. It includes standard instructions for the Code Commissioner to make nonsubstantive formatting and citation changes after ratification.

Impact

The bill would amend the Alabama Constitution as it applies to Walker County by raising the maximum qualifying age for judge of probate from the existing constitutional limit to 75 years old at the time of qualifying or appointment. This would affect eligibility for that county office only and would not broadly change statewide judicial qualification rules, except as a local constitutional exception. It also triggers the required local election process for constitutional amendments, including ballot placement and voter approval.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the measure was not controversial in the House of Origin, passing unanimously 30-0 on third reading and on the motion to read a third time and pass. There are no committee transcripts or recorded debate excerpts in the provided materials, so there is no evidence of organized opposition in the available record. The overall sentiment appears favorable or at least noncontentious among those voting.

Contention

The main substantive issue is the age qualification for the Walker County judge of probate. Supporters appear to favor allowing older candidates or appointees to serve, while any potential concern would center on whether the local exception should override the general constitutional age limit. Because there are no committee transcripts, no specific objections, arguments, or named opponents are documented in the provided materials.