HB198 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Legislature, implementation of biennial budget periods, statutory meeting dates revised, contingent upon const. amend., Sec. 29-4-1 am'd.

Summary

HB198 would set up biennial budgeting for Alabama by changing Legislature meeting dates and adding a separate appropriations process, contingent on a constitutional amendment approved by voters.

What This Bill Does

It changes when the Legislature meets, including an organizational session in January and a new multi-year schedule for regular sessions. It creates a fiscal session focused only on appropriations, with a defined start in April and a limited number of days. It establishes biennial budgeting periods for all state budgets, tied to the proposed constitutional amendment that would be approved by statewide referendum.

Who It Affects

• Legislators and legislative staff, who would follow the new meeting dates and the biennial budgeting process.
• State budget processes and agencies, as budgets would be planned and approved on a two-year cycle and appropriations would be handled primarily during the fiscal session.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 29-4-1 to set new meeting dates for the Legislature, including an organizational session on the second Tuesday in January and a revised regular-session schedule with specified start dates and duration limits.
• Authorizes biennial budgeting periods for all state budgets, contingent upon the constitutional amendment proposed in HB ______ being approved by statewide referendum.
• Requires a fiscal session to consider only appropriations bills, beginning on the fourth Tuesday in April, with a maximum of 10 legislative days and 30 calendar days.
• Repeals conflicting provisions of law and preserves the rest of the act under a severability clause.
• Effective upon passage and governor's approval, and contingent upon the constitutional amendment's statewide referendum 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

Legislature