SB382 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Initiative, constitutional amendments, proposed by people, authorized, Legislature may offer alternate proposal, const. amend.

Summary

SB382 would allow Alabama voters to initiate general laws and constitutional amendments, with the Legislature able to offer an alternate measure.

What This Bill Does

It creates an initiative process for both general laws and constitutional amendments. A proposal starts with a preliminary petition and a $1,000 filing fee (fee is refundable if adopted), and after signature verification, the Alabama Law Institute drafts the full text and official summary. Final petition signatures must meet thresholds (7% of governor votes for general laws, 10% for constitutional amendments, with district-by-district minimums). If the Legislature does not enact the proposal by a set deadline, it goes to a statewide ballot, and the Legislature may also propose an alternate; both can appear on the ballot and the one with more votes would prevail. The measure is not sent to the Governor; it becomes law only when delivered to the Secretary of State, and no more than two initiative measures can be enacted in a single session. If an initiative fails, identical proposals may not be resubmitted for two years.

Who It Affects

• Voters: Alabama residents who may initiate and sign petitions to enact general laws or constitutional amendments and vote on these measures.
• Legislature and state election officials: They would manage the initiative process, consider or draft alternate proposals, and determine ballot placement and timing.

Key Provisions

• Allows people to initiate the enactment of general laws or constitutional amendments by initiative, with the Legislature able to offer an alternate proposal.
• Preliminary filing requires 1,000 signatures from qualified voters and a refundable $1,000 filing fee; a registered agent is responsible for future filings.
• Final petition thresholds require 7% (general laws) or 10% (constitutional amendments) of governor votes, with at least 1% (general laws) or 1.3% (constitutional amendments) of governor votes from each congressional district.
• The Alabama Law Institute drafts the full text and official summary after initial approval; the Secretary of State publishes materials for signature collection.
• No measure goes to the Governor; enactment happens when the proposal is delivered to the Secretary of State, with no governor signature required.
• If the Legislature does not enact the proposal by a specified day, it is placed on the ballot; if an alternate proposal is approved, both appear on the ballot and the higher-supporting measure wins.
• No more than two initiative measures may be enacted in a single legislative session; identical initiatives that fail cannot be resubmitted for two years.

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