SB8 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Legislative, sessions to consist of organizational, regular of 20 day, budget of 10 days, and special sessions, Secs. 71.01 and 76 of Article IV of Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, repealed, const. amend.

Summary

SB8 would rewrite Alabama's constitution to fix when and how the Legislature meets, limit what it can discuss in regular and budget sessions, require a budget submission deadline, and repeal two old amendments.

What This Bill Does

It would set organizational and annual regular session dates and cap their length (60 calendar days; 20 legislative days). It creates a separate annual budget session with a 45 calendar day limit and 10 legislative days. It restricts what can be considered in each type of session: regular sessions would exclude certain major appropriations and revenue-related bills, while budget sessions would focus on revenues, state budget items, debt, education funding, emergency needs, and related topics. It would require the Governor to transmit the state's proposed budget plans by the first legislative day of each regular session. It would also repeal Amendment 339 and Amendment 448 and make these changes self-executing upon voter approval.

Who It Affects

• Legislators (state senators and representatives) by changing session timing, length, and what kinds of bills they can consider, affecting scheduling and workload.
• Governor and state budget staff by setting the budget submission deadline and defining what topics can be addressed in budget and special sessions.

Key Provisions

• Organizational session per existing constitutional rule; annual regular sessions start dates: first Tuesday in March (year 1), first Tuesday in February (years 2-3), second Tuesday in January (year 4).
• Regular session limit: 60 calendar days and 20 legislative days; allowed topics exclude certain major appropriations and revenue-related bills.
• Budget session limit: 45 calendar days and 10 legislative days; allowed topics include revenues, general state appropriations, debt, education funding, emergency needs, and related items.
• Special sessions limited to subjects in the Governor's proclamation unless two-thirds of each house agrees to add topics; capped at 12 legislative days and 30 calendar days.
• Governor must transmit the proposed state budget plans on or before the first legislative day of each regular session.
• Repeals Amendment 339 (Section 76) and Amendment 448 (Section 71.01) of the Constitution and makes the amendment self-executing.

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

Subjects

Legislature