SB164 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Local bills, advertisement or posting prior to introduction, procedures, amendment further provided for, introduction limited, Sec. 106 (Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901) am'd., const. amend.

Summary

This bill would amend Alabama's constitution to change how special, private, or local laws are advertised, amended, and introduced, and to set a time limit on when they can be introduced.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, it would require three weeks of newspaper notice before introducing a special/private/local bill (instead of four weeks), with exceptions if no newspaper exists in the county. It would establish procedures for amending such bills during the legislative process, including how amendments are adopted and when final passage can occur. It would also limit the introduction of these bills to no later than the 25th legislative day and require proof of notice; courts would void non-compliant laws, and the changes would be self-executing.

Who It Affects

• Residents and businesses in counties where a special/private/local bill could affect them, who would receive notice and have access to proposed amendments.
• Legislators, legislative staff, and county newspapers responsible for publishing notices, managing amendment procedures, and enforcing the new timing and notice requirements.

Key Provisions

• Notice requirement changed from four weeks to three weeks of newspaper publication in the county before introduction of a special, private, or local bill; exceptions apply if there is no newspaper of general circulation in the county.
• Notice must include the substance or general features of the proposed law and a statement that amendments may be offered, with details on how the public can access proposed amendments.
• Notice must be published weekly for three consecutive weeks prior to introduction; if no newspaper exists, notice is posted at five locations (including the county courthouse) and may be provided by electronic or other media.
• Proof of notice must be attached to the bill and filed as a public record; the clerk or secretary must certify notice to each house of the legislature.
• Amendments to the bill may be adopted by a majority in the originating house; after amendment, final passage in the origin house is delayed by at least three legislative days.
• If an executive amendment or conference committee report is adopted, transmission to the other house is delayed to the next legislative day or one calendar week, whichever is last.
• No introduction of a special/private/local bill after the 25th legislative day during regular sessions.
• The courts would void any special/private/local law that does not follow these procedures; the amendment is self-executing and requires no enabling legislation.

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