SB21 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Alabama Open Meetings Act, prohibit serial meetings, to clarify Open Meetings Act applies to meeting of the Legislature, committees, or subcommittees of governmental bodies, penalties, Secs. 36-25A-1, 36-25A-2, 36-25A-3, 36-25A-9 am'd.

Summary

SB21 tightens the Open Meetings Act by banning serial meetings, clarifying Legislature rules, and adding civil penalties enforceable by private parties.

What This Bill Does

It defines serial meetings and prohibits a series of gatherings where a quorum is not present at each meeting, no public notice is given, and deliberations are aimed at influencing votes. It clarifies that the Alabama Legislature is governed by the Alabama Constitution and not subject to other provisions of the Open Meetings Act. It allows private citizens and media to sue for violations and lets prevailing plaintiffs receive civil penalties, with a minimum penalty of $1 and penalties up to $1,000 per meeting or half the defendant's monthly salary, whichever is less.

Who It Affects

• Public governmental bodies (state, county, and local boards and commissions) – must avoid serial meetings, provide proper meeting notices, and post notices in prescribed ways.
• Private citizens and media organizations – may file civil actions for violations and, if successful, receive civil penalties awarded against the defendants.

Key Provisions

• Serial meetings are defined and prohibited: two or more gatherings where a quorum attends multiple times without public notice, with deliberations intended to influence future votes, and aimed at circumventing the Open Meetings Act.
• Legislature exclusion: the Alabama Legislature remains governed by the Alabama Constitution, and other Open Meetings Act provisions do not apply to it.
• Enforcement and penalties: private parties may sue for violations; penalties are awarded to plaintiffs; minimum penalty is $1; penalties for each violating meeting up to $1,000 or 50% of the defendant's monthly salary.
• Notice and posting requirements: statewide bodies must post notices seven days in advance; the Secretary of State posts notices on the Internet and can provide direct notice; local bodies have specified posting locations and methods.
• Executive session safeguards: violations in executive sessions carry specific penalties and burdens of proof, with procedures to protect confidentiality during merit review.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and 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

Open Meetings