SB25 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Legislature, vote required to override gubernatorial veto, increased, procedure for gubernatorial vetoes, altered, Section 125 (Section 125, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended) am'd., const. amend.

Summary

SB25 would amend Alabama’s constitution to require a three-fifths vote in each house to override a gubernatorial veto, eliminate pocket vetoes near the end of sessions, and extend the governor’s time to act from 10 to 15 days after adjournment.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the Legislature would need a three-fifths vote of all members elected in both the Senate and the House to override a governor’s veto. It would remove the pocket veto option for bills presented within five days of final adjournment. It would also extend the governor’s window to approve or disapprove a bill after final adjournment from 10 days to 15 days. The amendment requires voter approval in a statewide election before taking effect.

Who It Affects

• Legislature (Senate and House) — must reach a three-fifths vote of all members elected in each chamber to override a veto.
• Governor — loses pocket veto power for near-end-of-session bills and gains a longer decision window (15 days) after adjournment to act on a bill.

Key Provisions

• Requires a three-fifths vote of the whole number elected in each house to override a gubernatorial veto.
• Eliminates the governor's pocket veto for bills presented within five days of final adjournment.
• Extends the governor's time to approve or disapprove a bill after final adjournment from 10 days to 15 days.
• The amendment becomes law only if approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting on it in a statewide election.

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