HB 312 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

District Attorneys’ Plan for Retirement under the Judicial Retirement Fund; calculation of service retirement allowance and disability retirement allowance revised; limitation on amount of service retirement allowance compared to member's average final compensation revised

HB 312 revises retirement benefits for Alabama district attorneys under the Judicial Retirement Fund by lowering the maximum service and disability retirement allowances from 80% to 75% of a member's average final compensation. It also updates the definition of "average final compensation" for both the District Attorneys' Plan and the broader Judicial Retirement Fund. District attorneys with 18 or more years of service will now receive exactly 75% of their average final compensation as their retirement allowance, aligning with the new cap for all members. These changes directly affect current and future district attorneys enrolled in the retirement plan.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed Apr 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Apr 9, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as Enrolled, updating the bill number and adding standard certification signatures from the House and Senate. Substantively, the retirement plan was modified to allow members who previously withdrew from service to re-apply for retirement, increased the pension calculation percentage from 3% to 4%, and raised the maximum allowable retirement benefit from 80% to 75% of average final compensation. Additionally, the definition of disability was expanded to include those unable to engage in 'regular and substantial gainful employment,' and the medical review process for disability beneficiaries was strengthened to allow for revocation of benefits if a beneficiary refuses a medical exam or is found capable of working.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include members who had previously withdrawn from service and now wish to retire, whereas the previous version only covered current active members.
ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for members who previously withdrew from service to re-apply for retirement.

FISCAL

Increased the pension calculation rate from 3% to 4% of average final compensation.

Reduced the maximum retirement benefit cap from 80% to 75% of average final compensation.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of disability to include inability to engage in 'regular and substantial gainful employment.'

ENFORCEMENT

Strengthened the medical review process, allowing the Board to revoke pension rights if a beneficiary refuses a medical examination or continues to refuse for one year.

TECHNICAL

Added certification signatures and dates from the House and Senate to finalize the bill.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1031
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation General Fund)
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 767
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 766
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Introduced
Ways and Means General Fund Engrossed Substitute Offered (Ways and Means General Fund)
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Ways and Means General Fund)
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ways and Means General Fund)
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.