SB407 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shadrack McGill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Legislature, compensation same as the average gross income and same average benefits of public classroom teachers in Alabama and reimbursement of expenses to the same extent as paid to public classroom teachers, Sec. 29-1-8 repealed; Act 1196, 1971 Reg.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 repealed; Amendment 57 (Sections 48.01 and 49, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const.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

SB407 would amend Amendment 57 to pay Alabama lawmakers the same average pay and benefits as public classroom teachers, with an option for lawmakers to take a lower rate and opt out of the teacher benefits.

What This Bill Does

The bill would modify the constitution to base the presiding officers' and legislators' compensation and benefits on the previous year's average gross income and benefits of public classroom teachers, as determined by the Department of Finance, starting in 2012 with annual adjustments. It would also provide that lawmakers receive expense reimbursements for sessions and travel at the same rates as teachers use, and that each member may choose to be paid at a lower rate and opt out of the teacher-based benefits. The bill would repeal existing laws on this topic and set these changes to take effect starting January 1, 2013, with a vote required to approve the constitutional amendment.

Who It Affects

• Presiding officers and members of the Alabama Legislature – their pay, benefits, and travel reimbursements would be tied to the average gross income and benefits of public classroom teachers, with an option to accept lower pay and opt out of benefits.
• Public classroom teachers in Alabama – their pay and benefit levels, as determined by the Department of Finance, would indirectly determine lawmakers' compensation and benefits, and legislators would use teacher-style reimbursement rates for expenses.

Key Provisions

• Proposes to amend Amendment 57 to tie legislative compensation and benefits to the average gross income and benefits of public classroom teachers, based on data from the Department of Finance, starting with the 2012 calendar year and adjusted each January thereafter.
• Allows each legislator to elect to be compensated at a rate lower than the average teacher income and to opt out of the same benefits provided to teachers.
• Requires that expense reimbursements for legislative sessions and travel be at the same rates as those provided to public classroom teachers for in-state and out-of-state travel, with vouchers required for reimbursement.
• Repeals existing laws on legislative compensation and benefits related to this subject, and specifies that the new provisions become the total compensation and benefits beginning January 1, 2013.
• The amendment would be put to a public vote, with a ballot description outlining the proposed changes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments