HB93 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Legislature, procedures concerning presentment of an adopted bill to the Governor, gubernatorial vetoes, and executive amendments, item vetoes, vote recording, new section, Bills Presented to the Governor, added, Sections 125 and 126 (Sections 125 and 126, Official Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), repealed, const. amend.

Summary

This proposed constitutional amendment replaces current presentment and veto rules with a new framework for bills presented to the Governor, including executive amendments, item vetoes, and recorded voting.

What This Bill Does

It requires every bill passed by the Legislature to be presented to the Governor. If the Legislature is in session, the bill becomes law when the Governor signs it or does not veto within seven calendar days; if the Legislature adjourns sine die before presentment or during that period, the bill becomes law if the Governor signs it within 20 calendar days. The Governor may veto, and a two-thirds vote in each house can override to make the bill law. The proposal also adds the Governor’s power to issue executive amendments, creates an item veto for budget bills with a similar override process, and requires the names of voting members to be recorded in the journal; it repeals and replaces existing Sections 125 and 126 with these new procedures.

Who It Affects

• Legislators (both chambers) – face new presentment timelines, veto/override rules requiring two-thirds votes, and new procedures for executive amendments and item vetoes; voting on these measures would be recorded in the journal.
• Governor and statewide voters – the Governor gains authority to issue executive amendments and to use an item veto with specified timelines; voters will decide the constitutional amendment in a statewide election.

Key Provisions

• Repeal Sections 125 and 126 and replace them with a new section titled Bills Presented to the Governor, establishing the presentment, veto, executive amendment, and item veto framework.
• Presentment requirement: every bill passed by the Legislature must be presented to the Governor, with specific timelines that determine when a bill becomes law (seven days to sign or not veto if in session; 20 days if adjourned sine die before presentment).
• Veto and override: the Governor may veto; a two-thirds vote of the members elected to each house is required to override and make the bill law.
• Executive amendments: the Governor may return a bill with recommendations for amendment within seven days; if both houses approve the amended bill, it becomes law; if not, it is returned to the Governor as if for the first time but no further amendments may be recommended.
• Item veto: the Governor can disapprove specific items in appropriation bills; disapproved items are void unless repassed by a two-thirds majority in both houses; timelines specify seven days for return and two days after recess if session is interrupted.
• Voting record: for each vote related to the bill, amendments, or veto, the names of members voting for and against must be entered in the journal; a broad definition of a 'bill' includes votes, orders, or resolutions requiring concurrence by both houses.
• Election provisions: an election would be held to approve the amendment with specified ballot language describing the change in presentment and veto procedures.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments