HB144 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Ten Commandments, display of on state property and at public schools, authorized, const. amend.

Summary

HB 144 would amend the Alabama Constitution to allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed on state property and on property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies, with related religious freedom protections.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the display of the Ten Commandments on state property and on property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies. The display must be arranged in a way that complies with constitutional requirements, such as being intermingled with historical or educational items. It ensures individuals can worship according to their conscience and that no one is forced to attend or support a place of worship or a minister, while protecting civil and political rights from being affected by religious beliefs. It also prohibits using public funds to defend the amendment's constitutionality.

Who It Affects

• State government property and property owned or administered by public schools or public bodies would be allowed to display the Ten Commandments.
• Residents and students in Alabama, including those with religious beliefs, would have the freedom to worship as they choose and would not be compelled to attend or contribute to worship, with their civil and political rights not tied to their beliefs.

Key Provisions

• Property belonging to the state may be used to display the Ten Commandments, and the right of a public school or public body to display the Ten Commandments on its property is not restrained or abridged.
• Every person shall be at liberty to worship according to the dictates of his or her own conscience; no one shall be compelled to attend or contribute to the erection or support of any place of worship or to pay for a minister.
• The civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of no person shall be diminished or enlarged on account of religious beliefs.
• No public funds may be expended in defense of the constitutionality of this amendment.
• The Ten Commandments shall be displayed in a manner that complies with constitutional requirements, including intermingling with historical or educational items within a larger display on property owned or administered by a public school or public body.
• An election shall be held to adopt the amendment, with designated ballot language describing the measure.

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