HB295 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rod Scott

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Local constitutional amendments, adoption procedure by Legislature revised, Legislature to adopt a resolution of local application in order for amendment to be treated as local, local amendment,, Amendments 425 and 555, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, repealed, const. amend.

Summary

HB295 would replace the current local amendment system with a framework where local constitutional amendments affecting only one county can be adopted locally, while amendments affecting more than one county go to a statewide vote, and the Local Constitutional Amendment Commission is abolished.

What This Bill Does

Repairs Amendments 425 and 555 by repealing them and adding a new Section 284.01 to Article XVIII. The Legislature decides whether a proposed amendment is local (affecting only one county or subdivision) or not; local amendments would be approved only by majority voters in the affected county (and any subdivisions involved). If the amendment is not local, or if there is dissent on the local determination, it goes to a statewide referendum where a majority of statewide voters and a majority in the affected county or counties must approve it. The Local Constitutional Amendment Commission is abolished and the process for local amendments is redefined with specific ballot and notice requirements.

Who It Affects

• Residents of the affected county or counties (and any political subdivisions within them), who would vote on local amendments affecting their area.
• All Alabama voters and state legislators, because the process for proposing, approving, and voting on constitutional amendments would change from a county-local model to a mix of local and statewide pathways with new rules.

Key Provisions

• Repeals Amendments 425 and 555 and adds Section 284.01 to Article XVIII to govern local constitutional amendments.
• The Legislature determines whether a proposed amendment affects only one county or subdivision; local amendments require a majority of the qualified voters in the affected county (and subdivision, if applicable).
• If the Legislature fails to determine local applicability or determines it affects more than one county, the amendment must be approved by a statewide majority vote and a majority in the affected county/counties in a statewide referendum.
• Abolishes the Local Constitutional Amendment Commission and replaces it with statewide procedures for local amendments, including notice and ballot language requirements.
• If there is any dissent about the local applicability determination, the amendment is automatically submitted in a statewide referendum.

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