HB197 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Hill

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Mac McCutcheonMike BallRandy WoodMary Sue McClurkin

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Elections, political candidates, campaign contributions and expenditures, failure to file final or annual campaign finance report, penalties, Sec. 17-17-35 am'd. (2010-20086)

Summary

HB197 adds a four-year ban from candidacy for failing to file final or annual campaign finance reports.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the law to bar a person from being a candidate in any election for four years after the delinquent final or annual campaign finance reports are completed. It preserves existing penalties for other campaign violations (misdemeanors and felonies) but introduces this new eligibility ban tied specifically to late or missing campaign finance reports. The ban applies when the final report is not filed, or when the annual report is not filed within 30 days after its deadline (due by January 31 of the following year).

Who It Affects

• Candidates for Alabama elections who fail to file the required final or annual campaign finance reports would be barred from running for four years after those delinquent reports are completed.
• People required to file campaign finance reports (such as candidates and committees) who miss the filing deadlines would be subject to the four-year candidacy prohibition.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-17-35 to add a four-year ban on being a candidate for failing to file the final campaign finance report or the annual campaign finance report.
• The ban starts after the delinquent reports are completed and applies if the annual report is not filed within 30 days after the deadline (due by January 31 of the following year).
• Maintains existing penalties for other violations: Class A misdemeanor for general Chapter 5 violations, Class B misdemeanor for reporting requirements, and Class B felony for intentional violations of Section 17-5-7.
• Prosecution and venue: The Attorney General may prosecute violations; venue is in the county where the violator resides (or Montgomery County for cases outside Alabama).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections