SR7 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Senate Rules 4, 21, 37, and 39 amended, relating to privilege on the Senate floor, House messages, absent senators, dress standards, debate time

Summary

SR7 updates Alabama Senate Rules to specify who may be on the Senate floor, how messages are handled, attendance and dress rules, and debate time limits.

What This Bill Does

It expands and clarifies floor access by adding specific officials and staff who may be admitted to the Senate floor and assigns admission to the Secretary. It changes how House messages, executive messages, and conference reports are handled, including non-debatable steps and when amendments can be read. It tightens attendance rules, sets dress standards for members, pages, and staff, and allows exceptions for certain circumstances with majority approval or Secretary decision. It also sets speaking time limits in debates, limits personal privilege, and gives sponsors and managers certain rights to conclude debate.

Who It Affects

• Senate members and a defined set of non-member attendees (Governor and up to two staff, President and President Pro Tempore staff, select directors and caucus staff, press) who may be admitted to the Senate floor and must be placed by the Secretary.
• Senate staff, caucus staff, the press, and other floor participants, whose access, attire, attendance rules, and rules for handling House messages and debate time affect daily operations.

Key Provisions

• Rule 4: The floor admission list is expanded to include specific officials and staff, with placement by the Secretary; first-day family floor privileges for the Senate’s first legislative day.
• Rule 21: House and executive messages and conference reports may be called and handled immediately by the presiding officer or designated leaders, with limitations on when this can occur and non-debatable accedence to conference.
• Rule 37: Attendance rules require leave to be taken for more than one day; absent members may be summoned at the majority’s direction with costs paid by the absentee or the Legislature if excused; minimum dress standards are defined for members and pages, with exemptions possible by majority vote or Secretary decision.
• Rule 39: Debate time limits include a cap on speaking for most questions (two times, or up to one hour per instance) and a 15-minute limit for certain debates; sponsors/managers may speak as needed and conclude; points of personal privilege are limited to five minutes when the Senate is not in business.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative