SB240 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul Sanford
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Legislative Council, quorum, vote requirements, Sec. 29-6-3 am'd.
Summary: SB240 changes the Legislative Council’s voting rules so decisions are made by a majority of those voting with a quorum, rather than requiring the same majority in both the Senate and the House, and allows remote participation.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, the bill changes how the Legislative Council votes so a decision is approved by a majority of those voting, provided a quorum is present. It defines quorum separately for the Senate-side and the House-side membership. It allows members to participate by telephone or video and count that as presence. It also requires most council decisions to be written and published on the Legislature’s website and aligns with open meetings rules. The act would take effect immediately after passage by the Governor.

Who It Affects
Members of the Legislative Council from the Senate and from the House of Representatives, as their voting rules, quorum requirements, and allowance for remote participation are changed.
The public and legislative observers, due to new transparency requirements (decisions written and posted on the Legislature’s website) and ongoing open meetings rules.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 29-6-3 to require that council decisions be approved by a majority of those voting, with a quorum present.
Quorum now requires a majority of the Senate’s council members and a majority of the House’s council members.
Allows participation by telephone conference, video conference, or similar means and counts such participation as presence.
Decisions (except hiring, discipline, or termination of employees) must be reduced to writing and published on the Legislature’s website.
Council activities remain subject to the Alabama Open Meetings Act with notice rules similar to House/Senate committee meetings.
The councils may use Legislative Department staff as needed, and an orientation program for members is required at formation and at the start of each quadrennium.
Immediate effectiveness after passage and gubernatorial 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