SB30 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Local constitutional amendments, adoption procedure by Legislature revised, Legislature to adopt a resolution of local application in order for amendment to be treated as local, local amendment,, Amendments 425 and 555, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, repealed, const. amend.

Summary

SB30 rewrites how local constitutional amendments are adopted in Alabama by creating a local‑application process and repealing two earlier local amendment provisions.

What This Bill Does

The bill repeals Amendments 425 and 555 and adds a new Section 284.01 to Article XVIII that sets how local constitutional amendments are handled. The Legislature will decide whether a proposed amendment affects only one county or a subdivision within counties. If it is local, it can be adopted only by a majority of voters in the affected county or subdivision and in the county or counties where the subdivision is located; if it is not clearly local, the amendment would go to a statewide referendum with a majority vote statewide and a majority in the affected counties. The process requires approval by at least three-fifths of members in both houses and may include a resolution of local application; if there is any dissent, the amendment goes to a statewide referendum.

Who It Affects

• Voters who live in the affected county or the specified political subdivision, who would vote on the local amendment if determined to be local
• Voters in the counties where the political subdivision is located, who would participate in the local ballot for a local amendment
• Voters statewide, if the proposed amendment is not determined to be local and must be decided in a statewide referendum
• Members of the Alabama Legislature (Senate and House), who must approve the amendment by at least three-fifths and may adopt a resolution of local application

Key Provisions

• Repeal Amendments 425 and 555 and add Section 284.01 to the Constitution to establish a local amendment adoption procedure
• If the Legislature determines the amendment affects only one county or a subdivision within counties, the amendment may be adopted by a majority of voters in the affected county or subdivision and the counties where the subdivision is located; otherwise, adoption requires a statewide vote plus a majority in the affected counties
• Both the Senate and the House must approve the amendment by at least three-fifths and pass a resolution of local application; if any dissent exists, the amendment must be submitted in a statewide referendum
• Election notice, ballot description, and process are defined to reflect whether the amendment is local or statewide

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