HB135 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Duwayne Bridges
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Ten Commandments, display of on state property and at public schools, authorized, const. amend.
Summary: HB135 would propose a constitutional amendment to let the Ten Commandments be displayed on state property and on property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies, while protecting religious freedom and restricting public funds used to defend the amendment.
What This Bill Does
It would authorize the display of the Ten Commandments on state property and on property owned or managed by public schools or public bodies. It would protect the right to worship according to a person’s conscience and say no one can be forced to attend or support a place of worship or a minister; and it would ensure civil and political rights are not affected by religious beliefs. It would prohibit spending public funds to defend the constitutionality of the amendment. It would also set an election date to vote on the amendment.

Who It Affects
State government and public schools/public bodies: would be allowed to display the Ten Commandments on their property.
Individuals and religious groups: would retain freedom to worship and would not have civil or political rights diminished or enlarged based on their beliefs.
Public funds and government entities: would be prohibited from spending money to defend the constitutionality of this amendment.

Key Provisions
Property belonging to the state may be used to display the Ten Commandments, and public schools/public bodies may display them on their property without this being restrained or abridged by the amendment.
No person shall be compelled to attend, contribute to, or support any place of worship or minister, and worship freedom is protected.
Civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of any person shall not be diminished or enlarged on account of religious beliefs.
No public funds may be expended in defense of the constitutionality of this amendment.
An election shall be held to decide whether to adopt the proposed 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: Constitutional Amendments