The Alabama House has passed a bill that sets minimum standards for serving as a judge in Alabama.

The bill by Rep. Paul DeMarco would require that an individual work for 10 years as a licensed lawyer in Alabama or another state before serving on the Alabama Supreme Court, the Court of Civil Appeals or the Court of Criminal Appeals.

The bill would require that circuit judges have five years experience as a licensed attorney and that district judges have at least three years experience as a lawyer.

The bill passed the House 98-0 and now goes to the Senate for debate.

Currently the only requirement for serving as an appellate judge in Alabama is to be a licensed attorney and to live in the state.