HB421 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Reapportionment, redistricting or reapportionment plan, Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment to intervene in any legal action that contests the validity of, Sec. 29-1-2.5 am'd.

Summary

HB421 would let the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment intervene in lawsuits challenging redistricting or reapportionment plans and require such cases to be heard in Montgomery County, with a path to federal court involvement when appropriate.

What This Bill Does

It changes the venue for lawsuits contesting redistricting/reapportionment plans to the Circuit Court of Montgomery County and moves any existing cases to that court. It authorizes the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment to intervene in these cases and to seek intervention in federal court when appropriate to defend the plans. The changes apply to plans for the state Senate, state House of Representatives, United States Congress, State Board of Education, and other statewide plans.

Who It Affects

• Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment: gains authority to intervene in relevant lawsuits and to pursue federal court intervention to protect the Legislature's interests.
• Plaintiffs and parties involved in redistricting/reapportionment lawsuits (e.g., plans for the state Senate, state House, U.S. Congress, State Board of Education, and other statewide plans): their cases would be filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court and may involve intervention by the committee.

Key Provisions

• Venue requirement: Any legal action contesting the validity of any redistricting or reapportionment plan shall be commenced in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County.
• Transfer of pre-2001 cases: Any legal action pending in other courts as of July 3, 2001, contesting such plans shall be transferred to Montgomery County Circuit Court.
• Intervention authority: The Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment may intervene in any such legal action.
• Federal court intervention: The Legislature intends the committee to seek intervention in federal court when appropriate to protect the committee's interests and the plans.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Reapportionment