HB98 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kerry Rich

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Wayne Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Term limits, members of Senate and House of Representatives limited to three consecutive full terms, const. amend.

Summary

HB98 would amend the Alabama Constitution to limit legislative service to three consecutive full terms and set rules for returning after a break.

What This Bill Does

If passed, no person could be elected to the Legislature for more than three full consecutive terms. An election to the Senate or House for at least two years would count as a full term. Service in the Legislature before November 2014 would not disqualify someone from serving after that date. After finishing a third consecutive term, a person could run again only after a legislative quadrennium and only if they have not worked for the state or been paid to influence legislation since that term; there is an exception for a former member who receives a competitively bid state contract.

Who It Affects

• Current and future members of the Alabama Legislature (Senate and House) who would be limited to three consecutive full terms.
• Former legislators who want to return after a break, who must meet conditions (no compensated state employment or lobbying-like activity since their third term) to be eligible again.
• Individuals who receive a competitively bid state contract, as the exception to the restrictions in the return-after-term provision.
• Both chambers (Senate and House) are affected by the same term-limit rules.

Key Provisions

• No person may be elected to the Legislature for more than three full consecutive terms.
• An election to the Senate or House for at least two years counts as a full term.
• Service prior to November 2014 does not disqualify a person from serving after that date.
• After completing a third consecutive term, a person may be elected again only if they have not served in any compensated or non-compensated state role or received compensation for influencing legislation since that term.
• Exception: the restriction in the return-after-term provision does not apply to a former senator or representative who is awarded a competitively bid state contract.

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