SB64 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Ten Commandments, display of on state property and at public schools, authorized, const. amend.

Summary

The bill 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 related religious freedom protections, and it would require an election to approve it.

What This Bill Does

It would authorize the display of the Ten Commandments on state property and on property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies, and states that such displays are not restrained or abridged. It would affirm that people may worship according to their own conscience and that no one can be forced to attend or support worship or to pay for a minister. It would protect civil and political rights from being diminished or enlarged because of religious beliefs. It would prohibit public funds from being used to defend the constitutionality of the amendment, and require displays to follow constitutional requirements (e.g., being intermingled with educational or historical items).

Who It Affects

• State government and public schools/public bodies would be allowed to display the Ten Commandments on their property, expanding display opportunities and outlining how displays may be presented.
• Individuals and taxpayers would retain freedom of religion, be protected from being forced to attend or support worship, and have civil/political rights unaffected by their beliefs; public funds would not be used to defend the amendment's constitutionality.

Key Provisions

• Property belonging to the state may be used to display the Ten Commandments, and public schools and public bodies may display the Ten Commandments on their property without it being restrained or abridged.
• The Ten Commandments must be displayed in a manner that complies with constitutional requirements, including intermixing with historical or educational items when displayed.
• No person shall be compelled to attend or contribute to any place of worship or to support any minister, and no one shall be taxed for church support.
• Civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of any person shall not be diminished or enlarged due to their religious beliefs.
• No public funds may be spent to defend the constitutionality of this amendment.
• An election date will be set to vote on the proposed amendment.

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