HB45 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Duwayne Bridges
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Ten Commandments, display of on state property and at public schools, authorized, const. amend.
Summary: HB45 would propose a constitutional amendment to allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed on state property and on property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies, with protections for religious freedom.
What This Bill Does
It would create a constitutional change allowing the Ten Commandments to be displayed on state property and on property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies. Displays would need to follow constitutional requirements and could be part of a larger display or intermingled with educational or historical items. It guarantees freedom of worship by individuals and states that no one can be forced to attend or support a place of worship or a minister, and it prohibits spending public funds to defend the amendment's constitutionality; it also sets up an election to approve or reject the amendment.

Who It Affects
State government property and property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies would be authorized to display the Ten Commandments.
All Alabama residents (including students, teachers, and other public-school community members) would retain freedom to worship and their civil and political rights would not be diminished or enlarged by religious beliefs.

Key Provisions
Authorizes the state to display the Ten Commandments on state property and on property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies.
Displays must comply with constitutional requirements and may be intermingled with historical or educational items within a larger display.
Protects individuals' right to worship according to conscience and prohibits forcing anyone to attend or support a place of worship or to pay for ministers.
Civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of any person shall not be diminished or enlarged due to religious beliefs.
No public funds may be spent defending the constitutionality of this amendment.
An election to approve or reject the proposed amendment shall be held according to existing election laws, with labeled ballot language.

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