HB535 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe Hubbard

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Legislature, compensation same as the average gross family income in Alabama and reimbursement of expenses to the same extent as paid to state employees, if proration declared legislative compensation reduced by same percentage, Sec. 29-1-8 repealed; Act 1196, 1971 Reg.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 repealed; Amendment 57 (Sections 48.01 and 49, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Summary

HB535 would amend Amendment 57 to set legislature pay based on Alabama's average family income and align expense reimbursements with state employee rates, with possible prorated reductions and repeal of conflicting laws.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would make presiding officers and legislators’ annual compensation equal to Alabama’s average gross family income from the previous year (as determined by the Department of Finance, starting with 2012 data) and would provide expense reimbursements for sessions, committee meetings, and travel at the same rates as state employees. If fiscal proration is declared, their compensation would be reduced by the same percentage in the last quarter of the year. The measure would repeal conflicting existing laws related to compensation and expense reimbursement.

Who It Affects

• Presiding officers and members of the Alabama Legislature would have their pay tied to the state's average family income and would receive expense reimbursements at state employee rates, with potential reductions if proration occurs.
• Alabama state government and taxpayers would be affected by updated compensation rules and reimbursement practices, including the elimination of conflicting laws and the use of Department of Finance data to determine income-based pay.

Key Provisions

• Compensation: presiding officers and legislators receive an annual amount equal to the average gross family income for the preceding calendar year, as determined by the Department of Finance, starting with the 2012 data.
• Expense reimbursement: the presiding officers and legislators shall receive reimbursement for expenses for each day of attending sessions, committee meetings, or traveling on legislative business at the same rates as state employees for in-state and out-of-state travel, via vouchers to the Lt. Governor and Speaker.
• Proration: if proration is declared, the salary/compensation would be reduced by the same percentage during the last quarter of the fiscal year in which proration occurs.
• Law changes: conflicts with existing laws regarding compensation and reimbursement would be repealed; the amendment to Amendment 57 would require voter approval.

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