HB252 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Beckman

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Allen Farley

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Legislature authorized to vote to increase or decrease their compensation, or establish a Legislative Compensation Commission, members, terms, quadrennial recommendations for the total compensation to be paid to members of Legislature, Amendment 57, (Sections 48.01 and 49, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended) am'd.; Sec. 29-1-8 repealed; Act 1196, 1971 Reg.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 repealed, const.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

This bill would ask voters to choose between letting legislators set their own pay or creating a five-member Commission to set lawmakers' pay on a four-year cycle, replacing current rules.

What This Bill Does

Two ballot options are proposed: Proposition I lets legislators vote to increase or decrease their compensation. Proposition II creates the Legislative Compensation Commission, a five-member body that would determine the total pay, benefits, and other compensation for legislators every four years, with its decisions taking effect unless rejected by the Legislature. The Commission would be independent from lawmakers, have specified appointment rules, be funded to receive staff support, and its actions would repeal conflicting existing laws on pay and expense reimbursements.

Who It Affects

• Legislators themselves: could have pay changed directly under Proposition I or would have their pay set by the Commission under Proposition II.
• State taxpayers and the general public: pay and allowances for legislators could increase, decrease, or otherwise change depending on which proposition passes.
• People with appointment authority: Governor, Chief Justice, State Treasurer, and the Chair of the Alabama Ethics Commission would appoint Commission members.

Key Provisions

• Proposition I allows the Legislature to vote to increase or decrease its own compensation.
• Proposition II creates the Legislative Compensation Commission (five members) with appointments from the Governor (one from his legal staff), the Chief Justice (one), the State Treasurer (one), and two appointed by the Chair of the Alabama Ethics Commission; terms and diversity goals are specified, and staff support is provided by the Personnel Department.
• The Commission would have exclusive authority to modify legislative compensation; the Legislature could not modify compensation once the Commission is active.
• If Proposition II is approved, the Commission's determinations for salary, expense allowances, benefits, and other compensation would take effect unless rejected by the Legislature, and conflicting existing laws would be repealed to align with the new system.

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