HB323 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Lawrence McAdoryDavid ColstonBerry ForteMarcel BlackCraig FordDexter GrimsleyBarbara Bigsby BoydDaniel H. BomanDarrio MeltonJuandalynn GivanRichard Lindsey

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Elections, Legislative office, costs and expenses incurred for filling vacancies, Section 46 (Section 46, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended) am'd., const. amend.

Summary

HB323 would amend Section 46 of the Alabama Constitution to require departing incumbents to pay the costs of filling a legislative vacancy, with certain exceptions.

What This Bill Does

It would propose a constitutional amendment to shift the responsibility for costs of filling legislative vacancies from the state treasury to the departing incumbent when the departure is for reasons other than illness, death, or election or appointment to another public office. If the departure is due to illness, death, or leaving to take another public office, the departing incumbent would not be required to pay these costs, and the state would continue to cover them as currently handled. The amendment would take effect only if approved by voters in a statewide election.

Who It Affects

• Departing incumbents (senators and representatives): would be responsible for paying the costs and expenses of filling a vacancy when they leave for most non-exception reasons.
• State treasury/taxpayers: would continue to pay the costs in cases of illness, death, or leaving to take another public office; otherwise, costs would shift to the departing incumbent.

Key Provisions

• Proposes amending Section 46 of the Alabama Constitution to require the departing incumbent to pay the costs and expenses of filling a legislative vacancy for departures other than illness, death, or election/appointment to another public office.
• Specifies that in cases of illness, death, or leaving to take another public office, the departed incumbent would not pay; such costs would be covered by the state treasury as currently provided.
• States that the amendment must be approved by a majority of qualified electors voting in a statewide election to become part of the Constitution.
• Applies to vacancies in the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives as described in the proposed amendment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments