HB778 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Earl F. Hilliard

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Mary MooreMerika ColemanPatricia ToddRod ScottLawrence McAdory

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Birmingham, board of education, members, when assume office, Lewis Spratt Act amended, Act 2001-224, 2001 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

HB778 changes when Birmingham City Board of Education members take office and how their elections are run, to align with Birmingham City Council elections after federal approval.

What This Bill Does

It requires the Birmingham City Council to ensure compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act. The board of education election will be scheduled to coincide with the next mayoral election after approval by the U.S. Department of Justice. The initial board members will take office immediately after the election results are certified, with initial terms ending at the same time as the current city council terms; thereafter, all board members will be elected at the same time, in the same manner, take office on the fourth Tuesday in October, and serve the same term lengths as city council members. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Members of the Birmingham City Board of Education (initial and future) who will take office timing and term lengths aligned with the city council.
• Residents of Birmingham who vote in board and city elections, as the board elections will be held with mayoral elections and counted using city council procedures, subject to federal voting rights requirements.

Key Provisions

• Section 5(a): The Birmingham City Council must take steps to ensure the act complies with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended.
• Section 5(b): The board election will be called to coincide with the next mayoral election after final DOJ approval.
• Section 5(c): The initial and subsequent elections will be conducted, canvassed, and the results declared in the same manner as elections for the city council, unless this act requires otherwise.
• Section 5(d): The initial elected board members shall assume office immediately upon certification of results and serve terms aligned with current city council terms; thereafter, all board members will be elected at the same time, take office on the fourth Tuesday in October, and serve the same term length as city council members.

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

Subjects

Jefferson County