SB334 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

State Health Officer, order issued in response to outbreak of a disease has full force of law if approved by Governor and filed with Secretary of State in state of emergency, Secs. 22-2-8, 31-9-8 am'd.

Summary

SB334 would shorten the emergency period to 14 days with limited extensions and make State Health Officer outbreak orders enforceable law after Governor approval and filing with the Secretary of State.

What This Bill Does

The bill reduces the state of emergency duration to 14 days and allows extensions only through a joint resolution of the Legislature or, if the Legislature is not in session, a joint proclamation by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. It changes how disease outbreak orders from the State Health Officer become effective: after the Governor approves the order and it is filed with the Secretary of State, the order has the full force and effect of law.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents and the general public, who would experience potentially shorter emergency periods and health orders that become enforceable law only after governor approval and filing.
• State government actors (Governor, Legislature, State Health Officer, and Secretary of State), who must manage emergency declarations, extensions, and the approval/filing process for health orders.

Key Provisions

• Emergency duration shortened to 14 days; extensions require a joint resolution of the Legislature or, if the Legislature is not in session, a joint proclamation by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.
• State Health Officer outbreak orders become the full force of law after the Governor approves the order and a copy is filed with the Secretary of State.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

State Health Officer