HB244 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Hill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Alabama Open Meetings Act, prohibit serial meetings, to clarify Open Meetings Act applies to meeting of the Legislature, committees, or subcommittees of governmental bodies, penalties, Secs. 36-25A-1, 36-25A-2, 36-25A-3, 36-25A-9 am'd.

Summary

HB244 would ban serial meetings, extend open meetings protections to the Alabama Legislature, and impose civil penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It defines serial meetings and clarifies that deliberations among a quorum to influence votes fall under the Open Meetings Act. It requires the Alabama Legislature and its committees to meet in public unless a majority votes to go into executive session. It allows private citizens and other enforcers to sue for violations, with penalties paid to the prevailing plaintiff. It strengthens notice and enforcement provisions, including potential court orders and the possibility of invalidating actions that violated the act.

Who It Affects

• The Alabama Legislature and its committees/subcommittees: must hold public meetings, and are subject to prohibitions on serial meetings and penalties for violations.
• Private citizens (and media organizations) and other enforcers: may sue for violations and potentially receive penalties awarded to the prevailing plaintiff.

Key Provisions

• Defines and prohibits serial meetings, and clarifies that deliberation among a quorum to influence votes falls under the Open Meetings Act.
• Expands the Act to apply to meetings of the Alabama Legislature, its committees, or subcommittees of governmental bodies.
• Requires meetings to be open to the public; the Legislature must have doors open unless there is a public vote to go into executive session.
• Sets notice and posting requirements for meetings, including seven-day advance posting for statewide bodies and specific posting/notice rules for municipal, county, school boards, and other bodies; allows direct notice to registered individuals.
• Allows private citizens and media organizations to file civil actions for violations; penalties are payable to the prevailing plaintiff and are capped per meeting (maximum of $1,000 or 50% of the defendant’s monthly salary, whichever is greater).
• Outlines enforcement procedures (preliminary hearings, burden of proof, and possible final orders) and allows invalidation of actions taken in violation under certain conditions.
• No member may sue another member; governmental bodies may pay for the legal expenses of defendants; penalties and remedies are designed to address concrete harm to the public.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month following passage and governor 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

Open Meetings