HB607 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gregory Canfield

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Mike JonesKen JohnsonDonnie ChesteenKurt WallaceMac ButtramBecky NordgrenWes LongTerri CollinsCharles O. NewtonBarry MaskSteve ClouseJim McClendonAlan BakerChad FincherHarry ShiverVictor GastonPaul Beckman

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Foreign law, application in violation of rights guaranteed United States and Alabama citizens, prohibited, exceptions, American and Alabama Laws for Alabama Courts Amendment, const. amend.

Summary

HB607 would amend the Alabama Constitution to bar Alabama courts from applying foreign law when it would violate rights guaranteed by the U.S. or Alabama constitutions, with an exception for entities that contract to be governed by foreign law.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the amendment would implement a public policy that restricts the use of foreign law in Alabama courts and by decision-makers. It would require that contracts or agreements be modified to preserve constitutional rights if they designate foreign law or a foreign venue, and void those parts if they cannot be modified. It also states that Alabama will not give full faith and credit to foreign acts or records that conflict with Alabama public policy, and it sets that natural persons’ rights must be protected, while permitting certain business entities to opt out by contracting to be governed by foreign law.

Who It Affects

• Natural persons in Alabama (residents and citizens) — their constitutional rights (such as due process, privacy, religion, speech, etc.) would be protected and could not be violated by applying foreign law in Alabama courts.
• Businesses and other legal entities (e.g., corporations, partnerships, LLCs) — the amendment explicitly does not apply to entities that contract to subject themselves to foreign law outside Alabama/US; otherwise, their contracts and disputes could be affected by the new rule.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits Alabama courts from applying foreign law if it violates rights guaranteed by the U.S. or Alabama constitutions or state public policy; excludes entities that contract to subject themselves to foreign law.
• Defines foreign law as law from outside Alabama/US and sets Alabama's public policy against enforcing such laws in state courts; permits non-recognition of foreign acts/records that conflict with Alabama policy.
• Requires modification of contracts that designate foreign law or foreign venue if enforcement would violate constitutional rights; if modification is impossible, the offending provision is void.
• Allows voluntary contract-based restrictions but requires them to be interpreted to preserve constitutional rights; prohibits Alabama courts from being compelled to apply foreign law.

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