HB420 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Yvonne Kennedy

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Lesley VanceJames E. BuskeyRandy DavisVictor GastonChad FincherJamie IsonNapoleon Bracy

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Elections, presidential preference primary, counties where Mardi Gras recognized as county holiday and having special provisions, expenses reimbursable by state, retroactive effect, Sec. 17-16-2 am'd.

Summary

HB420 would make certain Mardi Gras–related election expenses reimbursable by the state for presidential preference primaries when the date falls on Mardi Gras, retroactive to 2008.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds advertising, media, and telephone/computer/communications expenses to the list of reimbursable election costs for counties that recognize Mardi Gras as a county holiday when the presidential preference primary occurs on Mardi Gras. It sets per-county caps (up to $25,000 for telecom/computers/communications and up to $100,000 for advertising/media) and includes holiday pay for county employees. It clarifies legislative intent and makes these reimbursements retroactive to February 2008, with immediate effect upon passage.

Who It Affects

• Counties that recognize Mardi Gras as a county holiday (e.g., Mobile, Baldwin, and any others) whose election expenses related to absentee/early voting and public information would be reimbursed for Mardi Gras–date presidential preference primaries.
• Election officials and county staff involved in implementing absentee/early voting and related election procedures, who may incur advertising, media, and communications costs that become reimbursable.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 17-16-2(7) to include advertising/media expenses and telephone, computer, and communications operations as reimbursable when Mardi Gras is a county holiday and the presidential preference primary date is Mardi Gras.
• Provides legislative findings explaining the intent to reimburse these expenses retroactively for elections when Mardi Gras affects the PPR.
• Sets reimbursement caps: up to $25,000 per county for telephone/computer/communications expenses and up to $100,000 per county for advertising/media expenses, plus holiday pay for county employees as appropriate.
• Retroactively applies the reimbursement of these expenses to the February 2008 presidential preference primary.
• Repeals conflicting laws and makes the act effective immediately after approval.

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