HB55 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2015

Title

Elections, prohibit gambling interest or person or agent on behalf of a gambling interest from contributing money or a thing of value to any candidate for public office in this state, Sec. 17-5-15.2 added

Summary

HB55 would ban gambling interests and their agents from contributing to state candidate campaigns or PACs, with a narrow exception for a candidate who works for a gambling business, and it defines who counts as a gambling interest.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits gambling interests or their agents from directly or indirectly contributing money or anything of value to any candidate for state nomination or election or to a PAC that spends money to support state candidates. There is an exception allowing a candidate who is employed by or acts as an agent for a gambling interest to contribute to their own campaign. The bill defines gambling interest as any business that gets part of its gross receipts from gambling activities, including selling gambling equipment or paraphernalia. It becomes effective immediately after the Governor signs, and the provision about local funds is addressed by noting the bill creates a new crime and is exempt from certain local-fund approval requirements.

Who It Affects

• Gambling interests (businesses that derive gross receipts from gambling activities) and their agents, who would be prohibited from making contributions to state candidates or related PACs.
• Candidates for state office and their campaign committees, who would face new restrictions on accepting contributions from gambling interests.
• Political action committees that make expenditures for or against candidates for state office, which would be restricted from accepting gambling-related contributions.
• Candidates who are also employed by or acting as agents for a gambling interest, who may contribute to their own campaigns.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 17-5-15.2 prohibiting gambling interests or their agents from directly or indirectly contributing money or a thing of value to state office candidates or to PACs that spend on state office campaigns.
• Provides an exception allowing a candidate who is employed by or is an agent for a gambling interest to contribute to their own campaign.
• Defines 'gambling interest' as any business deriving any portion of gross receipts from gambling activities, including sales of equipment or paraphernalia used in gambling.
• Effective immediately after the Governor's approval.
• States that the bill is exempt from certain local-funds expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections