SB370 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Quinton Ross

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Lowell BarronBobby D. Singleton

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

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

Summary

The Attorney General would become the state's sole director of civil and criminal litigation, removing the Governor's authority to initiate or direct such cases or investigations.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the AG, as the chief law enforcement officer, would direct and control all civil and criminal litigation involving the State of Alabama, including supervision of related investigations. The Governor would be prohibited from initiating or directing civil or criminal proceedings or investigations, and from appointing anyone to do so. Actions by the Governor to start such actions before the act's effective date would be void. The provisions are severable and the act would take effect immediately after passage and approval by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Attorney General: gains sole authority to direct and control all civil and criminal litigation involving the State of Alabama, including supervision of investigations.
• Governor: loses authority to institute or direct civil or criminal proceedings or investigations involving the State, and cannot appoint someone to do so.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Attorney General to direct and control all civil and criminal litigation involving the State of Alabama, including supervision of related investigative activity.
• Prohibits the Governor from instituting or directing civil or criminal proceedings or investigations under specified code sections (12-17-184, 12-17-210, 41-15B-2) and from appointing anyone to do so.
• Any action taken by the Governor to initiate such proceedings or investigations before the act's effective date is void.
• The act contains severability language and becomes effective immediately after 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