HB194 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Adline ClarkeRepresentative
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Local bills, advertisement or posting prior to introduction, procedures, amendment further provided for, introduction limited, Sec. 106 (Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901) am'd., const. amend.
Summary: The bill would tighten notice requirements for special, private, or local bills, add clear amendment rules, limit when such bills can be introduced, and require a statewide election on the proposed constitutional change.
What This Bill Does
It requires public notice in the affected county’s newspaper for a set period before introduction (with an alternative posting method if no newspaper exists); it also allows notices to be published by electronic media. It restricts amendments to the bill to legislators who represent the affected area, requires amendments to relate to the bill’s subject and not change its core features, and sets a process (majority vote and a 10-day delay before final passage in the origin house). It delays transmission to the other house if certain executive or conference actions occur and requires general-law procedures for notices of amendments. It makes notice proof a public record, lets courts void non-compliant local laws, and requires an actual election to approve the constitutional amendment.

Who It Affects
Legislators who sponsor or amend special/private/local bills: they must follow new notice requirements and the specified amendment process.
Residents of Alabama counties affected by such bills: they would receive required notices and participate in the electoral vote on the constitutional amendment.

Key Provisions
Notice of intention to apply for a private/local bill must be published in a county newspaper for a specified number of weeks prior to introduction; if no newspaper exists, notice must be posted in the county (five places, including the county courthouse) and may be published by electronic media.
The notice must state the substance of the proposed law.
Amendments to such bills may be offered only by a legislator representing a portion of the county where the bill was advertised, and only if the amendment relates to the subject and does not change the bill’s fundamental features; passage requires a majority in the originating chamber and a 10-day delay before final passage in that chamber.
If an executive amendment or conference committee report is adopted, the bill may not be transmitted to the other chamber for final passage until one calendar week or the session’s end, and general-law rules must govern notice of amendments during that period.
The courts would void any special/private/local law that was not passed in compliance with these notice provisions; the amendment is self-executing.
Introduction of these bills would be limited by a specified legislative day (after the 25th day) and an election would be held to approve the constitutional amendment, with ballot language provided.

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