HB502 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Demetrius C. Newton

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Constitutional Convention, election for calling to amend and replace Constitution of Alabama of 1901, delegates, election for ratification or rejection

Summary

The bill sets up a process for Alabama to decide whether to hold a constitutional convention to revise the 1901 Constitution, including how delegates are chosen, how the convention operates, and how a proposed constitution would be ratified by voters.

What This Bill Does

It would hold a June 2010 special statewide election to decide whether to call a constitutional convention. If approved, it would elect 210 delegates (two from each House district) in November 2010, convene the convention in June 2011, and have the convention draft a revised constitution or amendments. A separate special election would be held to ratify or reject the proposed constitution, with the process aligned to Amendment 714; if ratified, the new constitution would take effect on January 1 of the following year. The bill also creates detailed rules on delegate eligibility, campaigning, ethics, lobbying, compensation, and the administration of the elections and convention.

Who It Affects

• Qualified electors in Alabama who will vote in the special elections to decide whether to hold the convention and whether to ratify the proposed constitution.
• People who would become delegates and those involved in running the process (candidates for delegate seats, the Governor, Secretary of State, probate judges, and lobbyists), who must follow eligibility rules, campaign finance and ethics rules, and compensation provisions.

Key Provisions

• A June 2010 special statewide election to decide whether to call a constitutional convention to revise the Constitution of Alabama 1901.
• If approved, election of 210 delegates (two from each House district), nonpartisan, who must meet age/residency/citizenship requirements and file candidacy with a $50 fee, with campaign finance and ethics rules applying.
• The convention would convene in June 2011 in Montgomery, elect officers, and draft a revised constitution or amendments, keeping a journal and filing copies as required.
• The convention's rules include dispute resolution for seating, oath requirements for delegates, and limitations on compensation, per diem, and travel with a 60-day cap; delegates are subject to ethics and lobbying laws.
• A separate special election (held with the 2012 general election) would ratify or reject the proposed constitution or amendments, with the governor issuing a proclamation if ratified and the new constitution taking effect January 1 of the following year.
• The act includes provisions for gubernatorial proclamation, certification of election results, and funding to implement the plan, and makes general election laws apply to these elections unless otherwise specified.

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

Subjects

Constitution of Alabama