HB46 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Campaign contributions, limited for candidates for Alabama Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, circuit courts, district courts

Summary

HB46 would cap campaign contributions to candidates for Alabama appellate and trial courts at $500 per election, with an automatic CPI-based increase.

What This Bill Does

It sets a $500 per election contribution limit from individuals, PACs, and political parties to candidates for the Alabama Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, circuit courts, and district courts. The bill includes a mechanism to raise the limit over time based on the consumer price index, rounding to the nearest $50. It defines who counts as a candidate under the act and aligns terms with existing campaign finance laws. If enacted, the law would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Candidates for Alabama Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, circuit courts, and district courts would be subject to a $500 per election contribution limit.
• Individuals, political action committees, and political parties that donate to those candidates would be limited to $500 per election (with CPI-based increases in the future).

Key Provisions

• Imposes a $500 per election contribution limit to candidates for appellate judicial offices or state trial courts from individuals, PACs, or political parties.
• Provides an automatic increase mechanism for the limit every January 1 of even-numbered years based on the consumer price index, rounded to the nearest $50.
• Defines who is a 'candidate for appellate judicial office or state trial court' for purposes of the act and references existing campaign finance definitions for other terms.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial approval (or otherwise becoming law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections