HB337 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Initiative, constitutional amendments, proposed by people, authorized, Legislature may offer alternate proposal, const. amend.

Summary

HB337 would add a voter-initiated process to enact general laws and constitutional amendments in Alabama, with the Legislature allowed to offer an alternate proposal.

What This Bill Does

It creates an initiative path for both general laws and constitutional amendments. Voters must file a preliminary petition with 1000 qualified voters and a $1000 fee, designating a registered agent. After review, the Alabama Law Institute drafts the full text, signatures are gathered to meet thresholds (7% of governor votes for general laws, 1% per congressional district; 10% for amendments), and final petitions must be filed within two years. The Legislature may sponsor an alternate proposal; if neither acts, the measure goes to ballot at the next statewide election. If enacted through the Legislature, the measure becomes law without a governor’s signature. For amendments, the thresholds and process are similar but require 10% of governor votes, and up to two initiative measures can be considered per session with the majority votes determining which prevail.

Who It Affects

• Qualified Alabama voters who sign preliminary and final petitions to initiate laws or amendments and may become involved as registered agents or campaign participants.
• The Alabama Legislature and state election officials who manage the initiative process, consider any legislative alternatives, and determine ballot placement and timing.

Key Provisions

• Creates an initiative process for enacting general laws and constitutional amendments by the people, with the Legislature allowed to offer an alternate proposal.
• Preliminary filing requires 1000 qualified voters signatures and a $1000 filing fee; a registered agent is designated and responsible for filings and reports.
• The Secretary of State reviews preliminary filings; the Alabama Law Institute drafts the full text and official summary within 90 days of request.
• Final petition must reach thresholds: 7% of governor votes for general laws, plus 1% of governor votes from each congressional district; preliminary signatures may count toward final requirements; two-year qualification window.
• If the Legislature does not act, the measure goes to ballot; the Legislature may approve an alternate proposal and both appear on the ballot; no special election is held solely for initiative.
• Initiatives for general laws become law when delivered to the Secretary of State, with no governor signature required; if conflicts arise, the proposal with more votes prevails.
• No more than two initiative measures for a general law or constitutional amendment may be enacted or placed on the ballot in a single legislative session; the top two by signatures are chosen if more are proposed.
• For constitutional amendments, the final petition threshold is 10% of governor votes; the process mirrors general laws but with the higher threshold.

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