SJR50 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Del Marsh
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: Legislature, amending joint rules, quorum not present, presiding officers may set the date and time, when Gov. has declared a state of emergency
Summary: SJR50 would amend Alabama's joint rules to manage reconvening during emergencies and exclude days without quorum from counting as legislative days.
What This Bill Does
It changes Rule 19 so that if both chambers lack quorum on a day during a governor-declared state of emergency, that day is not a legislative day. If only one chamber lacks quorum, the Speaker of the House or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate may set the date and time for that chamber to reconvene. The chamber's reconvened day will not count as a legislative day, and the presiding officers must notify members at least 24 hours before reconvening.

Who It Affects
Members of the Alabama House and Senate, whose attendance and quorum status determine whether a day counts as a legislative day and when reconvening can occur.
The Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, who gain authority to set reconvene dates/times and must provide 24-hour notice to members.

Key Provisions
Amends Rule 19 to treat days with insufficient quorum during a governor-declared state of emergency as not legislative days if both chambers are lacking quorum.
Gives the Speaker (House) or the President Pro Tempore (Senate) power to set the reconvening date and time for their chamber when quorum is lacking in that chamber, during a state of emergency.
Requires that the day with no quorum not be counted as a legislative day.
Requires at least 24 hours' notice to chamber members before the reconvened meeting time.

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