HB153 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Charles O. Newton

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Legislative Compensation Commission, established, members, quadrennial recommendations for the total compensation to be paid to members of Legislature, Amendments 39 and 57, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, am'd.; Section 49, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, repealed; Sec. 29-1-8 repealed; Act 1196, 1971 Reg. Sess., Act 87-209, 1987 Reg. Sess.; Act 90-490, 1990 Reg. Sess.; Act 91-95, 1991 Reg. Sess.; Act 91-108, 1991 Reg. Sess.; Act 2007-75, 2007 Reg. Sess. repealed, const. amend.

Summary

HB153 would create a Legislative Compensation Commission to set Alabama lawmakers' pay and benefits every four years, replacing current compensation rules and repealing conflicting laws.

What This Bill Does

It creates a five-member Legislative Compensation Commission appointed by the Governor, the Chief Justice, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House, with four-year terms. The commission would make quadrennial recommendations on the total compensation (salary, expenses, benefits, and other pay) for members of the Alabama Legislature, and its decisions would be final unless the Legislature rejects them. Once the commission acts, conflicting laws and parts of Amendments 39 and 57 would be repealed, and the compensation decision would take effect after the next general election unless rejected by joint resolution.

Who It Affects

• Members of the Alabama Legislature whose total compensation, allowances, and benefits would be determined by the Legislative Compensation Commission.
• Governor, Chief Justice, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker (the appointing authorities) and the Alabama Personnel Department (staff support), who would appoint commissioners and provide staff and implement the compensation system.

Key Provisions

• Creates a Legislative Compensation Commission with five members appointed by the Governor (two), the Chief Justice (one), the Lieutenant Governor (one), and the Speaker of the House (one).
• Commission members should reflect geographic, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity where practicable and serve four-year terms; the Governor designates a chair and a vice chair.
• Members cannot be state officials or employees and may not be compensated for their service, but they may be reimbursed for expenses at the same per diem rate as state employees.
• The commission has exclusive authority to modify legislative compensation; the Legislature may not modify compensation or benefits.
• The commission must set compensation by resolution by the fifteenth legislative day of the fourth regular session of each quadrennium; the resolution takes effect on January after the next general election unless rejected by a joint resolution with a recorded vote.
• Upon adoption of the initial resolution, conflicting laws and parts of Amendments 39 and 57 are repealed, including specified prior acts and sections referenced in the bill.
• The Alabama Personnel Department will provide staff support from existing resources.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments