HB700 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Unified appropriations for state General Fund and Education Trust Fund; state revenue sources unearmarked, effective Jan. 1, 2017, constitutional amendment

Summary

HB700 would remove constitutional and statutory limits on how Alabama state revenue can be spent and allow a single, unified state appropriations bill starting January 1, 2017 if voters approve.

What This Bill Does

It eliminates all constitutional restrictions and existing laws that require state revenues to be spent in a particular way. It also prohibits any general or local law directing state revenue to a specific use. After ratification, ordinary expenses of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, interest on the public debt, and public education could be funded through a single general appropriations bill, covering the General Fund and Education Trust Fund.

Who It Affects

• State government agencies (executive, legislative, and judicial branches) would be funded through a unified general appropriations bill rather than separate earmarked appropriations.
• Public education and other programs funded by the General Fund and Education Trust Fund would be allocated via the unified appropriations process, with prior earmarks removed or reduced.

Key Provisions

• Eliminate all constitutional limitations on the appropriation or spending of state revenues and prohibit any general or local law that directs state revenue to be spent in a particular manner; after ratification, appropriations for ordinary expenses, debt service, and public education may be made in the general appropriations bill.
• Provide ballot procedures and language for voter approval, making the amendment effective January 1, 2017 upon a majority vote by qualified electors.

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