SB372 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Hightower

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Greg J. ReedGerald O. DialPhillip W. WilliamsDel MarshRusty GloverClay ScofieldJ.T. Waggoner

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Legislature, fill vacant position in certain circumstances, Section 46 (Section 46, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended) am'd., const. amend.

Summary

SB372 would amend Alabama's Constitution to let the Governor appoint someone to fill legislative vacancies that occur after the end of the third regular session of a quadrennium, instead of requiring a special election.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the amendment changes Section 46 so that vacancies in the Senate or House occurring after the third regular session would be filled by the Governor's appointment for the remainder of the term. Vacancies before that point would still be filled by a special election (with the option for no election if the candidate is unopposed and costs covered by the state if an election is held). The amendment itself must be approved by a majority of qualified electors to become part of the Constitution, and the ballot must describe the change.

Who It Affects

• Legislators (Senators and Representatives) because their vacancies after the third regular session would be filled by appointment rather than election
• Voters/Electors of Alabama because they must approve the constitutional change via an election

Key Provisions

• Vacancies after the end of the third regular session of a legislative quadrennium shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term
• The proposed amendment requires approval by a majority of qualified electors voting on the amendment to become part of the Constitution; it preserves the existing vacancy process before the third regular session (with writ of election, possible unopposed candidate, and election cost provisions) as described in Section 46.

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