HB63 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dimitri Polizos

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Legislature, elections, vacancy in office of senator or representative, Governor to fill vacancy if it occurs after the last day of third regular session in any quadrennium, Sec. 17-15-1 am'd.

Summary

HB63 would require the Governor to call a special election to fill a legislative vacancy if it occurs before the last day of the third regular session in a quadrennium, with the act contingent on a constitutional amendment authorizing appointment to vacancies.

What This Bill Does

If a seat in the Alabama Legislature (senator or representative) becomes vacant before the end of the third regular session in a quadrennium, the Governor would be required to call a special election to fill that vacancy. The bill specifies this replacement method for such vacancies and adds that the act would take effect only if a constitutional amendment allows the Governor to appoint someone to fill vacancies under this act. In other words, the replacement method hinges on a future constitutional change that would authorize appointment in certain cases.

Who It Affects

• Legislators (senators and representatives) who have a vacancy: replacement would be by a governor-called special election if the vacancy occurs before the last day of the third regular session in the quadrennium; otherwise, the process would depend on the constitutional amendment authorizing appointment.
• Voters in the district of the vacant seat: they would participate in the governor-called special election to fill the vacancy when the vacancy occurs before the deadline.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-15-1 to require a special election to fill a vacancy in the Legislature if the vacancy occurs prior to the last day of the third regular session in any quadrennium.
• Directs the Governor to call the special election to fill such vacancies.
• Provides that the act becomes effective only if a constitutional amendment is ratified authorizing the Governor to appoint a person to fill a vacancy under this act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Legislature