SB62 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

State courts, judicial authority, Sharia law not to be considered when making judicial decisions, Section 139, as amended by Amendment 328 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, (Section 139, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Summary

SB62 would amend Alabama's Constitution to prohibit courts from using Sharia law in making judicial decisions.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the amendment would require state courts to decide cases without considering Sharia or international law, instead relying on the US and Alabama constitutions, federal and Alabama statutes, common law, and state rules. It would allow the use of another state's law only if that state's law does not include Sharia. The bill also reaffirms the existing unified structure of Alabama's judiciary and sets up a statewide vote to approve the amendment.

Who It Affects

• State court judges and other judicial officers: must not consider Sharia or international law and must rely on specified sources when deciding cases.
• Alabama residents and parties in court cases: their judicial decisions would be governed by the amended rules, potentially affecting how laws are applied in civil, criminal, and administrative matters.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits state courts from considering Sharia law in any judicial decision and from considering international law.
• Requires courts to follow the US Constitution, Alabama Constitution, US Code, federal regulations, established common law, the Code of Alabama, and other state law not containing Sharia when deciding cases.
• Allows use of another state's law only if that law does not include Sharia.
• Affirms the existing unified Alabama judiciary system (supreme court, courts of appeals, circuit and district courts, probate and municipal courts) as the framework for exercising judicial authority.
• Proposes a statewide election to approve the constitutional amendment.

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