SB62 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Scott BeasonGerald O. DialBill HightowerDick BrewbakerPhillip W. WilliamsClay ScofieldBryan TaylorJerry L. FieldingJimmy HolleyJ.T. WaggonerGerald H. AllenRusty GloverGreg J. ReedArthur OrrDel MarshPaul Sanford

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Fair Ballot Commission created, membership and terms provided for, require Secretary of State provide explanation of measures and post on website, Alabama Informed Voter Act created

Summary

SB62 would create The Alabama Informed Voter Act, establishing a 15-member Fair Ballot Commission to produce neutral, plain-language Ballot Statements about statewide measures and post them on the Legislature’s website before elections.

What This Bill Does

Creates the Fair Ballot Commission (15 members) to explain what a Yes or No vote on statewide measures represents and requires posting Ballot Statements on the Legislature’s website at least 60 days before a statewide vote. Ballot Statements must be plain, neutral, and include the measure text, sponsors, related laws, ballot placement, and a plain-language summary with legal authority, effects, costs, funding, and tax implications. If the commission cannot agree on a statement, it must explain why, and the agreed portions (plus links and individual statements) must be posted and printed for distribution; individuals may submit short pro or con statements, which will also be posted before the vote.

Who It Affects

• Voters and the general public, who would receive neutral, easy-to-understand explanations of statewide ballot measures and their potential costs and tax impacts.
• Ballot measure sponsors, opponents, and legislators, who may submit statements of support or opposition (up to 300 words) and must meet deadlines for posting on the website and printing for distribution.

Key Provisions

• The Alabama Informed Voter Act establishes the Fair Ballot Commission with 15 members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Speaker of the House, and Secretary of State; each appoints one attorney and one non-attorney private citizen; certain public officials serve as non-voting advisors.
• Initial terms are staggered (2 years for some appointees, 4 years for others) with subsequent terms of four years; no member may serve more than two full consecutive terms; members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel.
• The Commission must post Ballot Statements on the Legislature’s website at least 60 days before a statewide vote, including the measure text, sponsors, related legislation, ballot placement, and a plain-language summary with legal authority, effects, costs, funding, and the impact if defeated.
• Ballot Statements must be written in plain language, be true and impartial, and note tax effects; approval requires a majority vote of the commission; if no majority on the 60-day timeline, an explanation is posted and the agreed-upon portions are still posted.
• Ballot Statements (or the agreed portions) must be printed, posted, and distributed like sample ballots; printed copies must be available for public distribution at SOS or probate offices no later than 55 days before the vote, with possible printing fees charged to requesters.
• The chair may add links to other websites discussing the measures, with a disclaimer that the commission does not endorse those sites’ contents; individual statements supporting or opposing the measure may be posted within specified deadlines (up to 300 words, submitted 10 days before the vote, posted by seven days before the vote).
• If parts of the act are invalid, the rest remains in effect; the act takes effect immediately after passage and approval.

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

Subjects

Elections