SB258 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Legislative department, constitutional provisions, Article IV Constitution of Alabama of 1901, repealed certain provisions of Article 10 moved to Articles XVII and XVIII, new Article IV added, Amendments 1,12, 22, 26A, 39, 40, 49, 53, 57, 58, 88, 92, 93, 97, 112, 142, 159, 201, 214, 227, 247, 257, 315, 327, 339, 341, 354, 375, 383, 388, 389, 390, 397, 400, 401, 411, 427, 428, 443, 448, 449, 451, 452, 453, 454, 472, 474, 475, 491, 492, 513, 556, 558, 621, 715, 766, 772, 798, 871; Secs. 122, 280, 281, 282 repealed

Summary

This bill would rewrite Alabama's Constitution to create a new Article IV for the Legislature, move legislature-related provisions from other articles into it, and set lawmakers’ pay and rules by statewide vote.

What This Bill Does

It repeals the current Article IV and certain amendments, adds a new Article IV covering the Legislative Department, and relocates legislature-related provisions from Articles V and XVII to the new article, while moving unrelated provisions to Article XVII. It establishes rules for elections, terms, vacancies, and emergency interim legislators; sets lawmakers’ basic pay to the median Alabama household income (adjusted yearly) and tightens expense reimbursements; and defines how and when the Legislature operates, including organizational and regular sessions. The changes would be approved or rejected by voters in a statewide election.

Who It Affects

• Legislators (Senators and Representatives) and legislative leaders, who would have their compensation tied to the median household income, face new reimbursement rules, and operate under clarified terms, vacancy, and leadership provisions.
• Alabama voters and taxpayers, who would decide on the constitutional changes in a statewide election and would be affected by how the Legislature is structured and funded.

Key Provisions

• Repeals existing Article IV and certain amendments and creates a new Article IV titled The Legislative Department, transferring legislature-related provisions from Articles V and XVII into it and relocating unrelated provisions to Article XVII.
• Sets annual basic compensation for each legislator and the President of the Senate to the median Alabama household income, adjusted annually by the State Personnel Board; restricts reimbursements to specified categories and requires approval by the presiding officers for such reimbursements.
• Defines eligibility and terms for Senators and Representatives, vacancy procedures, and introduces emergency interim legislators to ensure legislative continuity during emergencies.
• Prescribes the organization of sessions: Organizational Session in January for selecting officers, regular sessions beginning in February with a limit of 30 legislative days within 105 calendar days, and allows for special sessions under defined conditions.

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