HB319 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Election, expenses of county reimbursement by the state, specified, Election Expense Reimbursement Committee, makeup and functions altered, Secs. 17-16-2, 17-16-2.1, 17-16-4 am'd

Summary

HB319 changes Alabama's county election expense reimbursements by expanding eligible costs, creating a reform committee to add more reimbursable items and savings, and phasing in changes starting in 2016.

What This Bill Does

It expands what counts as reimbursable election expenses to include items like staff compensation, overtime, absentee managers, programming/testing of equipment, ballots and related supplies, lists of qualified electors, and required notices. It creates the Election Expense Reimbursement Reform Committee to identify additional eligible costs, assess election spending for efficiency, and propose legislation to reduce costs; the committee includes top state leaders and committee chairs and must approve the expense list before each election cycle. It requires the Comptroller to give a written explanation for denial of reimbursement requests and provides an automatic appeal to the Board of Adjustment unless the county waives the right. It also sets timing for committee meetings, list approvals, and distribution of the reimbursable expenses, with the amendatory language for 17-16-2(a) taking effect on January 1, 2016.

Who It Affects

• County governments (county commissions and probate judges) who would be reimbursed for expanded and new election expenses under the approved list.
• Election officials and county staff (including temporary workers, overtime, and absentee election managers) whose costs may be reimbursed.
• State government entities and lawmakers (Comptroller, Secretary of State, Director of Finance, and chairs of Senate/House election-related committees) who design, approve, and oversee the reimbursement rules.

Key Provisions

• Expands and clarifies reimbursable election expenses to include the items listed and any others approved by the Election Expense Reimbursement Committee.
• Creates the Election Expense Reimbursement Reform Committee with specified members to identify additional reimbursable costs, pursue cost savings, and recommend related legislation.
• Requires an approved list of reimbursable expenses before each election cycle, with distribution to county officials and a mechanism for ongoing updates (amended at least 90 days prior to the next primary).
• Provides a written denial explanation by the Comptroller and an automatic appeal to the Board of Adjustment unless the county waives the right.
• Sets timelines for committee meetings and reporting of recommendations, and for distributing the approved expense list no later than 60 days before the primary.
• Amendment to 17-16-2(a) takes effect January 1, 2016; other provisions take effect immediately or as otherwise stated.
• Section 17-16-4 clarifies that the state will reimburse counties for expenses incurred in elections where only federal or state offices are on the ballot.

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

Subjects

Elections