SB438 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Scott Beason

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

State Superintendant of Education, change from appointed to elected, term provided, amend Amendment 284, const. amend.

Summary

This bill would switch the State Superintendent of Education from being appointed by the State Board of Education to being elected by voters for a four-year term beginning in 2016.

What This Bill Does

It amends Amendment 284 to establish an elected State Superintendent of Education (nonpartisan ballot) starting with the 2016 general election and every four years after. The term lasts four years, starts and ends like other constitutional officers, and vacancies are filled according to general law. The State Board of Education would set the duties and authority, while the Legislature would fix the salary and implement the amendment through law.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama, who would elect the State Superintendent of Education in general elections on a nonpartisan ballot every four years.
• The State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Education, whose roles shift to an elected leadership structure with duties determined by the Board, salaries set by the Legislature, and vacancy processes governed by general law.

Key Provisions

• Amends Amendment 284 to provide for the election of the State Superintendent of Education.
• The State Superintendent would be elected at the 2016 General Election and every four years thereafter on a nonpartisan ballot for a four-year term.
• The term would commence and expire in the same manner as other constitutional officers.
• Vacancies would be filled as provided by general law for vacancies of other constitutional officers.
• The State Board of Education would determine the duties and authority of the Superintendent according to regulations prescribed by the Legislature.
• The Superintendent's salary would be fixed by the Legislature and paid from the state treasury.
• The Legislature would enact laws to implement or enforce the amendment.
• Provisions conflicting with Article V and XIV would be repealed, but this would not affect elections or terms of those chosen before the amendment becomes valid.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments