HB337 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Randall Shedd
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Separation of powers of executive, legislative, and judicial branches, Article III and Amendment 582 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, combined into one section, Article III and Amendment 582 repealed and Article III added
Summary: HB337 would repeal and replace Alabama's current Article III and Amendment 582 with a modernized Article III that preserves the separation of powers.
What This Bill Does
It repeals Article III and Amendment 582 and substitutes a modernized Article III that keeps the same substance. It defines three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) and requires that each branch stay within its own powers. It also changes how court orders that disburse state funds are treated, requiring approval by a simple majority of both houses before becoming binding, with specific exceptions, and allows courts to make necessary findings of fact to enforce standards. The amendment would take effect January 1, 2017, and an election would be held to approve it.

Who It Affects
Alabama's three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial) by clarifying and enforcing separation of powers and restricting cross-branch power.
Alabama voters and state officials (legislature, courts, and executive agencies) who would vote on the amendment and then implement it, including the requirement for legislative approval of court-funded disbursement orders starting in 2017.

Key Provisions
Repeal Article III and Amendment 582 and add a new Article III with modernized language that preserves the same substantive content.
Section 42 establishes three branches (legislative, executive, judicial), defines powers, and prohibits branches from exercising others' powers.
Section 43 requires a simple-majority approval by both houses of the Legislature for any state court order disbursing state funds to be binding, with specified exceptions and allowances for findings of fact to ensure standards are met.
Section 2 states the amendment becomes operative January 1, 2017; Sections 3-4 outline election timing and ballot language for voter approval.

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