SB14 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

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days, and special sessions, Secs. 71.01 and 76 of Article IV of Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, repealed, const.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

SB14 would rewrite how Alabama runs its legislative sessions, setting fixed dates and lengths for organizational, budget, regular, and special sessions, controlling what can be discussed in the budget session, and repealing two older amendments.

What This Bill Does

If passed, it would establish an organizational session as prescribed by existing rules, set the annual budget session to run on specific dates with a 60-day limit and restrict it to budget-related and certain appropriations bills, and require the annual regular session to begin after adjournment and also last 60 days with any legislation allowed. Special sessions would be limited to topics named in the Governor's proclamation, require two-thirds votes to add topics beyond those, and be capped at 12 legislative days and 30 calendar days. It would repeal two prior amendments (339 and 448), and the amendment would take effect if a majority of voters approve it in an election; the amendment is described as self-executing.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama, who would decide whether to approve the constitutional change in an election.
• Legislators (State Senate and House), who would operate under new session timings, 60-day limits, and the restricted vs. broad scope of legislation during budget and regular sessions.

Key Provisions

• Section I(a): Organizational session to be conducted as currently defined by Amendment 57.
• Section I(b): Annual budget session starts on specific dates (first Tuesday in March of year 1, first Tuesday in February years 2-3, second Tuesday in January year 4) or as otherwise prescribed; limited to 60 calendar days; only budget-related and specified appropriation bills may be considered.
• Section I(c): Annual regular session begins the first Monday after adjournment of the budget session and lasts 60 calendar days; any legislation may be considered.
• Section I(d): Special sessions limited to subjects named by the Governor's proclamation; additional topics require a two-thirds vote of each house; limited to 12 legislative days and 30 calendar days.
• Section II: The amendment is self-executing; Amendment 339 and Amendment 448 are repealed.
• Section III: An election will be held to approve the amendment, described to voters as proposing changes to session timing, scope, and repealing older amendments.

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

Subjects

Legislature