HB78 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Initiative, constitutional amendments, proposed by people, authorized, Legislature may offer alternate proposal, const. amend.

Summary

HB78 would allow Alabama residents to initiate enactment of general laws and constitutional amendments by initiative, with the Legislature allowed to offer an alternate proposal.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a citizen initiative pathway for both general laws and constitutional amendments, including filing steps, signature thresholds, and timelines. The Legislature may sponsor an alternate proposal; if it does not enact the proposal or if an alternate is offered, the measure goes to a statewide vote. Initiatives do not require the Governor's signature; measures become law or constitutional amendments if approved, subject to established limits such as a maximum number of initiative measures per session and resubmission restrictions.

Who It Affects

• Qualified Alabama voters who sign petitions and vote on measures, with signatures determining whether an initiative reaches the ballot.
• The Legislature and state election officials (Secretary of State, Legislative Reference Service, Alabama Law Institute) who administer, review, publish, and decide ballot placement for initiative proposals.

Key Provisions

• Allows people to initiate enactment of general laws or constitutional amendments via initiative; Legislature may offer an alternate proposal.
• Preliminary petition requires 1000 qualified voters and a $1000 refundable filing fee; verified by the Secretary of State; a registered agent is required and responsible for filings.
• Full text and official summary prepared (by the Alabama Law Institute) within 90 days, published on the Secretary of State's website for at least 90 days, and summaries stay through the next regular session.
• Final petition thresholds: for general laws, at least 7% of governor votes with at least 1% from each congressional district; the 1000 preliminary signatures count toward the final total.
• For constitutional amendments, 10% of governor votes with at least 1.3% from each district; two proposals (initiative and Legislature alternative) may appear on ballot; if both pass, the one with more votes prevails.
• The Legislature cannot amend the initiative's original proposal for general laws; it can offer an alternate proposal which will be included on the ballot with the initiative.
• No more than two initiative-enacted measures may be enacted in a single legislative session; if more proposals exist, the two with the most signatures may be enacted.
• If an initiative fails, identical initiative cannot be resubmitted for two years.
• Initiative measures are reviewed by the Legislative Reference Service and have impartial ballot language prepared in consultation with proponents.

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