HB523 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeff McLaughlin

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Butch TaylorCraig Ford

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Civil and criminal litigation and investigations involving the state, Attorney General to direct, Governor has no authority

Summary

HB523 would hand all civil and criminal litigation involving the State of Alabama to the Attorney General and strip the Governor of authority to start or direct such cases or investigations.

What This Bill Does

It designates the Attorney General as the main director and controller of all civil and criminal litigation involving Alabama, including supervision of related investigations. It bars the Governor from initiating or directing civil or criminal proceedings or investigations under certain code sections, and from appointing someone to do so. Any actions taken by the Governor before this act takes effect are void. The act also clarifies that its provisions are severable and sets an immediate effective date once passed and approved.

Who It Affects

• Attorney General — gains authority to direct and control all civil and criminal litigation involving the State of Alabama (including supervision of related investigations).
• Governor — loses authority under specified code sections to institute or direct civil/criminal proceedings or investigations and cannot appoint someone to do so.

Key Provisions

• The Attorney General is authorized to direct and control all civil and criminal litigation concerning the State of Alabama, including supervision of civil and criminal litigation and investigative activity when it involves the State.
• The Governor shall not have the authority under Sections 12-17-184, 12-17-216, or 41-15B-2, Code of Alabama 1975, to institute or direct civil or criminal proceedings or investigations, nor shall the Governor have authority to appoint by executive order or otherwise to institute or direct such proceedings or investigations.
• Any action taken by the Governor to institute or direct such proceedings or investigations prior to the effective date of this act is void.
• The provisions of this act are severable; if any part is invalid, the rest remains in effect.
• This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, 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

Attorney General