HB501 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will AinsworthLt. Governor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Recall of elected state officers, const. amend.

Summary

HB501 would add a recall process to Alabama's Constitution, allowing voters to remove certain state officers and legislators through a formal recall election.

What This Bill Does

It creates a recall mechanism for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, and members of the Legislature. It sets who can initiate recalls (25 or more residents) and describes what must be in a recall petition, including grounds for recall and required petition content. It requires a $500 filing fee, approval by the Secretary of State before circulating petitions, and a signatures threshold of 30% of the last general election's votes for the office, with petitions must be returned within 90 days; recalls would be held like other special elections, and removal requires a majority vote. Special rules apply for Governor recalls (Lt. Governor calls the election) and Secretary of State recalls (Attorney General handles SOS duties.

Who It Affects

• State officers named (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, and lawmakers): they could be recalled and removed if the grounds are met.
• Voters and Alabama residents: they may initiate recalls and sign petitions, and they would vote in the recall election if the petition meets thresholds.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 lists who can be recalled: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, and members of the Legislature.
• Section 2 sets recall grounds: violation of oath, malfeasance/misfeasance/nonfeasance, moral turpitude, incompetence, and lack of physical or mental fitness (grounds are not subject to judicial review).
• Section 3 describes petition content per page: officer name, office/district, grounds and facts, oath, signer eligibility, and signer contact info.
• Section 4 allows 25+ residents to initiate recalls, requires submitting a proposed petition, up to three representatives, and a $500 fee; the Secretary of State reviews sufficiency/clarity and certifies the petition for circulation within 30 days.
• Section 5 requires petitions to gather signatures totaling at least 30% of the last general election votes for the office, and the petition must be certified by the Secretary of State or dismissed; petitions have a 90-day return window.
• Section 6 describes the recall election: held like other special elections; majority vote removes the officer; governor recalls trigger a special election called by the Lieutenant Governor; recall of the Secretary of State assigns duties to the Attorney General.
• Section 2(b) notes that the sufficiency of recall grounds is not justiciable (not subject to court review).

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