HB40 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arnold MooneyRepresentative
Republican
Session: First Special Session 2016
Title: Governor, required to provide notice of an extraordinary session within specified time frame, exception for a state of emergency, const. amend.
Summary: The bill would require the Governor to give at least seven days’ notice and specify the issues before calling an extraordinary legislative session, with an emergency exception.
What This Bill Does
If passed, it amends the Alabama Constitution to require the Governor to issue a proclamation at least seven days before an extraordinary session and to state each matter needing legislative action. There is an exception that removes the notice requirement if the call is in response to a state public health emergency or a Governor-declared state of emergency. It preserves the Governor’s ability to convene extraordinary sessions by proclamation, but adds these notice and specificity requirements.

Who It Affects
Governor — must provide at least seven days’ notice and specify each matter requiring action, with an emergency exception.
Legislature and the public — gain clearer advance knowledge of what issues will be considered in an extraordinary session; emergency calls are exempt from the notice requirement.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 122 of the Alabama Constitution to require seven days' notice before calling an extraordinary session.
Notice must specifically state each matter requiring action by the Legislature.
Exception: the notice requirement does not apply if the proclamation is in response to a state public health emergency or a Governor-declared state of emergency.
The Governor may still call extraordinary sessions by proclamation, but under the new notice and specificity rules.
The amendment would be subject to voter approval in a statewide election.

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