SB177 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

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

SB177 would create a process to decide if Alabama should hold a constitutional convention to revise the 1901 Constitution, convene a convention if approved, and submit a proposed new constitution to voters for ratification in a separate election.

What This Bill Does

It requires a June 2010 special statewide vote on whether to hold a constitutional convention. If approved, it sets up the election of 210 delegates (two per House district), a June 2011 convention in Montgomery, and a subsequent special election to ratify or reject the proposed constitution, with the entire process governed by state election rules and funding provisions. If the ratification election passes, the new constitution would take effect on January 1 of the following year, and the legislature would provide funding to implement the plan.

Who It Affects

• Qualified Alabama voters: they would vote in the initial question, participate in the delegate election if a convention is approved, and vote again in the ratification election.
• Delegates and state officials: delegates are elected to the convention, must meet specified qualifications and oath requirements, receive compensation and expenses, and be subject to ethics and lobbying rules; state officials (Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Comptroller) oversee proclamations, certification of results, and funding implementation.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 sets a June 2010 special statewide election to decide if a constitutional convention should be held; a majority in that vote would trigger delegate elections, the convention, and a later ratification election.
• Section 5 creates 210 delegates (two from each House district), elected nonpartisan in November 2010, with qualifications (age, residency, citizenship), a $50 filing fee, and campaign finance rules including strict contribution limits and reporting.
• Section 7 requires delegates to take an oath, and Section 8 provides compensation, per diem, mileage, and expense rules with a 60-meeting-day maximum and a deadline for payments.
• Section 9 broadens lobbying definitions to include activities intended to influence the convention, requires lobbyist registration and reporting, and prohibits delegates from receiving gifts related to their duties.
• Section 4-6 describes the convention’s operation (meeting in June 2011, electing officers, drafting a revised constitution, and keeping a journal), with disputes resolved by the convention itself.
• Sections 12-13 establish the ratification process: a special election (held with the 2012 general election) to ratify or reject the convention’s proposals, and, if ratified, January 1 of the following year becomes the constitution’s effective date.
• Section 15 states the act takes effect immediately upon passage.

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