Retirement benefits, circuit clerks authorized to participate in supernumerary program and Employees' Retirement System based on separate years of service

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on how to calculate separate years of service for the supernumerary program and ERS.

Circuit Clerks Retirement Benefits Act

This act allows circuit clerks to join both a supernumerary program and the Employees' Retirement System if they qualify separately for each based on different years of service.

What This Bill Does

• Adds new rules about retirement benefits for circuit clerks in Alabama.
• Prohibits circuit clerks from joining both a supernumerary program and the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) based on the same years of service.
• Allows circuit clerks to join both programs if they qualify separately for each based on different years of service.

Who It Names or Affects

• Circuit clerks in Alabama who want to participate in retirement benefits programs.

Terms To Know

supernumerary circuit clerk program

A special retirement plan for circuit clerks that allows them to work part-time after reaching a certain age or service level.

Employees' Retirement System (ERS)

A state-run retirement system where employees contribute and receive benefits upon retirement.

Limits and Unknowns

• The act does not explain how to calculate separate years of service for the supernumerary program and ERS.
• It is unclear what happens if a circuit clerk's service overlaps between both programs.

Official Summary Text

This act adds Section 12-18-166 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) prohibit individuals from participating in both supernumerary circuit clerk programs and the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) based on the same service; and (2) authorize individuals who independently qualify for supernumerary circuit clerk programs and the ERS based on separate service to participate in both programs.

Current Bill Text

HB159 ENROLLED
Page 0
HB159
AR8DWQQ-2
By Representative Bolton
RFD: Ways and Means General Fund
First Read: 13-Jan-26
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HB159 Enrolled
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First Read: 13-Jan-26
Enrolled, An Act,
Relating to retirement benefits; to add Section
12–18–166 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize qualifying
circuit clerks to participate in both a supernumerary circuit
clerk program and the Employees' Retirement System.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 12-18-166 is added to the Code of
Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
§12-18-166
(a) No individual may participate in both a
supernumerary circuit clerk program and the Employees’
Retirement System based on the same service.
(b) An individual who independently qualifies for a
supernumerary circuit clerk program and the Employees'
Retirement System based on separate years of service may
participate in both programs.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on July 1,
2026.
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HB159 Enrolled
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2026.
________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Representatives
________________________________________________
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
House of Representatives
I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and
was passed by the House 05-Feb-26.
John Treadwell
Clerk
Senate 26-Feb-26 Passed
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