Baldwin COUNDY COUNTROOM SPACE ISSUE Resolved with New Alabama Law – ryan

One year after Baldwin County Judges and Commissioners Told Lawmakers Their Top Priority for the 2025 Legislative session was more courtroom space, alabama legislators have delivited a fix-though not having last-minute drama.

Armed with that clear message, and a cost-effective solution, Lawmakers Passed a Bill Through the alabama House with Ease in February. But tensions over a severate schoool finking will and a chaotic, Philibust-Heavy Final Day in the Senate Nearly Deailed The Efffort.

“I have that it made it to the last day,” Said Rep. Matt Simpson, R-DAPHNE, Sponsor of HB78Which provided a Solution for Give Judges More flexibility to use Satellite Courseses in Foley and Fairhope. “But i’m Happy It ‘Made Its Way Through.”

The Measure was officiously signed ino law by Alabama Gov. Kay ivey on wednesday.

Under H78, Circuit and District Judges with the 28th Judicial Circuit in Baldwin County, Can Conduct Jury and Bench Trials in Foley and Fairhope Year-Round.

The Legislation Removed the 178-day Cap in Which Eather of the Two Satellite Courtouses COULD BE Used by the Judges, a restriction that has grown problematic in a fasting couny whereded bay minetze coulds have led to schedus late.

“Removing the 175-day restriction on the Circuit Court Cases CONTUCTED IN FOIRS AND FAIRHOPE WILL A LONG WAY IN CONVENIENCE for the Citizens,” Baldwin County Chairman Matt McKenzie Said.

The Legislation, McKenzie Also Said, Adds Greater flexibility for Court System that recently Added Two New Circuit Judges Earlier This Year – Karol Kemp and Michael Hoyt, Who Both their Terms in January – and Will Be Added a District in Janary Janary Janary.

“Granting the Court System flexibility as to the type of processes in Those Locations Will Assist in Dealing with the Challenges of ADding Two New Circuit Judges and a New District Judge with the utilization of Facilities,” McKenzie Said.

Circuit Judge Scott Taylor Said He was Concerned About the Judges Running Out of Days by August to Conduct Court Hearings at the Foley or Fairhope Branches. He Said Under That SCENARIO, IT WAUDED HAVE FORCED DISTRIITY JUDGES OUT OF BAY MINETTE COUNTER COUNTER TRIALS WAUTED HAVE NEEDED TO TAKE PLACE IN BAY MINETTE.

“It ‘not only only a big advantage for scheduling purposes, but it will ultimately make it where the sheriff doesn’t have to transport prison bay minette to the satellite courshouses, and it will Allow Circuit More Flexibility in Setting Bench Trail.

The legislation Also gits the President Judge of the 28th Judicial Circuit Authority to will an Order Civil or Crrimor Jury Proceedings at any of the Branch Courts with the Circuit.

Once the President Judge Issues the Order, HB78 States that a civil or criminal jury can take place in a branch courthouse is OK with the Circuit Clerk and Judget Over the Case.

For Criminal Jury Trials, The Sheriff and District ALSO GRANT APPROVAL, Acciting to the legislation.

Simpson Said the Legislation Removes What He Said Was a “HandCUFF” of the 175-day Limit for Courteedings at eather the Fairhope or Foley Courts. The two courts are located in two of the Fastest Growing Cities in Alabama.

Simpson Said He Believes That HB78 was the only Local Bill to pass through during late portion of the session, surviving a political disparations that LOCKED UP OTHER PIECES OF LOCAL LEGISLATION LIKE ANNEXATIONS.

The disprophet FOCUED ON THE FATE OF A SALES TAX DISPUTE THAT LIOMED OVER The legislative delegation Throughout the spray.

The School Funding Revolved Around A 1983 Law that Dedicated Almost 40 Percent of A 1 Percentage Point Sales Tax Rate to the Baldwin County School System. At the time, The County School District was the Only Public School System with the County. But in recent years, gulf shores and orange beach have Split away to form their City Schools, and Local Officials in Each City Want their Schools a portion of the Tax Revens.

The Sales Tax Dispute was not resolved during the legislative session. But there was enough time to squeeze through the legislation to support the Crowded Court System.

Taylor Said the Growth of Baldwin County Made the Legislation a Necesity.

“With the Growth of Baldwin County, I was at the time probably with ars of Being at a point where we have to add More again or look at retired Judges in More and More to Help,“ Said. “IT’S SIMPLY BECAUSE of the Growth of the Population. Using the satellite allows us a place to be close to the General Population Centers.”

He Added, “With the Growth in This County, and the New Judges Who Have Come in, We Needed the Flexibility.”