SB181 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Lieutenant Governor, duties and powers over Senate, removed, salary established, joint election with Governor established, const. amend.

Summary

SB181 would amend the Alabama Constitution to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor jointly, remove the Lieutenant Governor's Senate powers, and assign those duties to a Senate-elected President of the Senate, with the Lieutenant Governor serving only as successor to the Governor and earning 75% of the Governor's salary.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor would be elected on a single joint ticket starting with the next general election. The Lieutenant Governor would no longer preside over the Senate or have legislative duties; their sole duty would be to succeed the Governor if the Governor is removed, dies, or resigns. The Senate would elect a President of the Senate from its members to carry the former duties of the Lieutenant Governor, and the President Pro Tempore would preside in the President's absence. The Lieutenant Governor's annual salary would be set at 75% of the Governor's salary and this amount could not be changed by law.

Who It Affects

• Governor and Lieutenant Governor: would be elected together on a joint ticket; the Lieutenant Governor would lose the Senate-presiding role and other legislative duties, and would only be the Governor's successor; their salary would be 75% of the Governor's.
• Members of the Senate: would elect a President of the Senate from among themselves to carry the legislative duties formerly held by the Lieutenant Governor; the President Pro Tempore would preside in the President's absence.

Key Provisions

• Election changes: Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be elected jointly on a single ticket; one vote is cast for the pair; general laws for nomination of candidates.
• Removal of Senate duties: Lieutenant Governor shall not serve as President of the Senate or have legislative voting rights; the sole duty is to succeed to the Governor under specified conditions.
• Senate leadership: the Senate shall elect a President of the Senate from its members to hold the former duties of the Lieutenant Governor; the President Pro Tempore presides in the absence of the President.
• Compensation: Lieutenant Governor's annual salary is 75% of the Governor's salary, and this amount may not be changed by law.

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