SB445 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Tom WhatleyBryan TaylorClay ScofieldPhillip W. WilliamsBill HoltzclawPaul BussmanGreg J. ReedScott BeasonPaul SanfordTrip PittmanBen H. BrooksDel MarshJ.T. WaggonerCam WardMark Slade Blackwell

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Legislative Compensation Commission, established, members, quadrennial recommendations for the compensation and expenses to be paid to members of Legislature, Sec. 29-1-8 repealed; Act 1196, 1971 Reg.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 repealed, const. amend.

Summary

SB445 would create a Legislative Compensation Commission to set Alabama legislators' pay and expenses for each quadrennium, removing this power from the Legislature and requiring public posting and voter approval.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a six-member Legislative Compensation Commission with specified non-legislator and legislator appointments to determine lawmakers' compensation and expenses for each quadrennium. The Commission would set pay and reimbursements, publish the data publicly, and implement rules on mileage and other expenses; changes would take effect at the start of the next quadrennium. It prohibits automatic cost-of-living increases, allows for prorated reductions during budget proration, and repeals conflicting laws when the amendment takes effect, with the public voting to approve the amendment.

Who It Affects

• Current and future members of the Alabama Legislature, whose compensation and expense reimbursements would be established by the Legislative Compensation Commission rather than by the Legislature itself.
• Alabama voters and the general public, who would vote on the constitutional amendment and would see published standards and data explaining the compensation and expenses.

Key Provisions

• Creates a six-member Legislative Compensation Commission with specific appointment rules (Governor and Lieutenant Governor appoint non-legislators; two non-legislators with HR/compensation experience appointed by Senate and House leadership; one House member and one Senate member appointed by respective leaders).
• Members serve for the term of the appointing authority; vacancies filled for the unexpired term; no compensation for members, but per diem reimbursement at the state employee rate; chair and vice chair elected by the commission; quorum and majority rules for actions.
• The Commission establishes for each quadrennium the compensation and expenses for legislators, to be submitted to the Legislature and take effect at the start of the next quadrennium; data posted on the Legislature's website.
• Compensation is based on factors including session work, district work, office duties, drafting legislation, and travel; mileage follows the state employee rate; the Commission sets other reimbursable expenses and validation methods.
• Compensation may not automatically rise with cost-of-living increases; if General Fund proration occurs, compensation is reduced by the same percentage for the duration of the proration.
• The Personnel Department provides staff support as needed; conflicting laws and related constitutional provisions are repealed when the amendment takes effect.
• The amendment includes election-related provisions describing how the amendment would be presented to voters and the ballot language.

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