SJR3 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Sanford

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Legislature, Legislative Reference Service, Legislative Fiscal Office, Alabama Law Institute, request for services deemed confidential until waived

Summary

The bill adopts Joint Rule 8.1 to keep requests for legislative services and their communications confidential and privileged, with specific waivers and exceptions.

What This Bill Does

It makes all requests for services to the Legislative Reference Service, Legislative Fiscal Office, and Alabama Law Institute, and the communications about those requests, confidential and privileged. The privilege stays in effect until the person who requested the service instructs release. If a bill is introduced by the Legislative Reference Service or the Legislative Fiscal Office, the contents of that bill are considered a waiver of the privilege for the bill itself. Advertising a local bill by synopsis does not by itself waive the privilege. The three agencies are treated as a single office for providing a service, and may cooperate with each other or other agencies when responding to requests.

Who It Affects

• Legislators and other individuals authorized to request legislative services: their requests, related materials, and any work product are confidential and privileged unless they authorize release.
• Staff and offices of the Legislative Reference Service, Legislative Fiscal Office, and the Alabama Law Institute: must maintain the confidentiality and privilege of communications and may coordinate with each other (and others) to provide requested services.

Key Provisions

• Requests for services and related communications are privileged and confidential between the requester and the three agencies.
• The privilege remains until the material is released by the requester, waiving confidentiality.
• Introducing a bill prepared by LRS or LFO waives the privilege only for the contents of that bill.
• Advertising a local bill by synopsis or partial form does not automatically waive the privilege.
• LRS, LFO, and ALI are treated as a single office for purposes of providing requested services and may cooperate with each other.

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