SB372 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Roger Bedford, Jr.

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Linda Coleman-Madison

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Local constitutional amendments, subject to statewide referendum, requirement for number of dissenting votes in the Legislature increased, Amendment 555 (Section 284.01, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Summary

SB372 would change when a local constitutional amendment must go to a statewide vote by raising the dissent thresholds that trigger statewide consideration.

What This Bill Does

It narrows the circumstances under which a local amendment must be decided statewide by requiring a statewide vote only if there are enough dissenting votes in the Legislature (specifically, at least 15 in the House or at least 5 in the Senate). Local amendments affecting only one county or a subdivision would generally be decided by the voters in that area, unless the thresholds are met. The bill also outlines a process involving a Local Constitutional Amendment Commission and requires certain voting and notice steps; if thresholds trigger statewide consideration, the measure would be decided statewide, with the county and subdivision voting as applicable.

Who It Affects

• Voters in the affected county or subdivision (they would vote on local amendments and possibly statewide amendments if thresholds trigger a statewide referendum).
• Voters statewide (in cases where a local amendment becomes a statewide referendum due to dissent thresholds).
• Members of the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate (their votes determine whether a local amendment meets the thresholds to trigger statewide consideration).
• The Local Constitutional Amendment Commission (Governor, Presiding Officer of the Senate, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Speaker), which must approve the amendment at a certain stage.
• Election officials who would administer the notices, proclamations, and ballots.

Key Provisions

• A local constitutional amendment affecting only one county or one subdivision can be adopted by a majority of qualified voters in the affected area; a separate referendum for a subdivision may be held if simultaneous voting is not possible.
• Initial approval requires at least a three-fifths vote in both the House and Senate, with no less than 15 dissenting votes in the House and fewer than five dissenting votes in the Senate, and approval by the Local Constitutional Amendment Commission.
• If there are at least 15 House dissenting votes or at least 5 Senate dissenting votes, the amendment is treated as a statewide amendment and proceeds under statewide procedures.
• If the Local Constitutional Amendment Commission does not approve, or if a statewide referendum is triggered, the amendment is placed on a statewide ballot and must be approved by a majority of voters in the affected county and, if applicable, the affected subdivision for it to become part of the constitution.

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