FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 190 as introduced requires the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court to appoint a three-judge panel to hear cases filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County challenging redistricting or reapportionment plans. This could increase the financial obligations of the State General Fund by an undetermined amount dependent upon the number of retired judges appointed to serve on the panel, the cost to compensate the retired judges, and the cost to provide necessary support staff.

As amended and reported by the Committee on Judiciary, requires a three-judge panel, comprised of a circuit judge from the Circuit Court of Montgomery County and two circuit judges appointed by the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, from the Northern and Southern Districts of Alabama to be appointed to hear cases challenging redistricting and reapportionment plans. This could increase the financial obligations of the State General Fund by an undetermined amount, to reimburse the circuit court judges from the Northern and Southern Districts for any necessary and reasonable expenses of travel and the same maintenance expense allowance circuit court judges are entitled to when attending court or transacting official business outside of a judge's home circuit.