SB4 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Florence, corp. limits altered

Summary

A constitutional amendment would create a Legislative Compensation Commission to set lawmakers' pay and expenses for each quadrennium, removing these decisions from the Legislature itself.

What This Bill Does

Creates a six-member Legislative Compensation Commission with six appointments: three non-legislators (appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and presiding officers from the Senate and House) and two legislators (one House member and one Senate member appointed by their respective leaders). The commission, not the Legislature, would establish the compensation and expenses for all members of the Legislature for each quadrennium, with changes taking effect at the start of the next quadrennium after approval. Compensation would not automatically adjust for cost-of-living; if a General Fund proration occurs, the compensation would be reduced by the same percentage. Mileage would follow the state employee rate, and the commission would define other reimbursable expenses and how they are validated. Data used to determine compensation would be posted on the Legislature’s website, and the bill requires public transparency. The Legislature would repeal conflicting laws when the amendment takes effect, and the amendment would be voted on by the public in an election.

Who It Affects

• State legislators: their pay and expense rules would be set by the new Legislative Compensation Commission rather than by the Legislature itself.
• Public voters and taxpayers: would decide whether to approve the constitutional amendment and would gain access to published data about how compensation is determined.

Key Provisions

• A Legislative Compensation Commission of six members: four non-legislators (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and two HR/compensation-experienced appointees) and two legislators (one House member, one Senator).
• Commission members cannot receive their own compensation; they may be reimbursed for expenses at per diem rates like state employees; mileage at state employee rates; other expenses defined by the commission.
• The commission sets Legislature compensation and expenses for each quadrennium and submits them to the Legislature; changes take effect at the start of the next quadrennium.
• Compensation adjustments are not automatic for inflation; proration during General Fund budget shortfalls reduces compensation accordingly.
• Key factors for setting pay include time in session, district work, office duties, drafting legislation, and travel; data used is posted on the Legislature’s website.
• The bill repeals conflicting laws and parts of Amendments 39 and 57 when the amendment takes effect; an election is required to approve the amendment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Lauderdale County