HB21 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Becky Nordgren

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Legislature, to call itself into a special session under certain conditions authorized, const. amend.

Summary

HB21 would let the Alabama Legislature call itself into a special session, with voter approval, under certain crisis conditions.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 122 to allow the Legislature to convene itself in a special session by joint proclamation from the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker, under the same emergencies that currently let the Governor call a session (danger from enemies, insurrection, lawless outbreak, or contagious disease). On the first day, both houses must vote to affirm the convening by two-thirds of their members elected, or the session ends. The Governor’s power to call a special session remains, and the amendment would require a statewide election to become part of the Constitution.

Who It Affects

• Members of the Alabama Legislature (Senate and House) would gain the power to convene a special session themselves, with a two-thirds affirming vote needed in each house.
• Voters of Alabama would decide, in a statewide election, whether to approve the constitutional amendment allowing legislature-initiated special sessions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 122 to authorize the Legislature to convene itself into a special session by joint proclamation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, under the same conditions that allow the Governor to convene (danger from enemy, insurrection, lawless outbreak, or contagious disease).
• On the first day of such a session, each house must adopt a resolution by two-thirds of its members elected to affirm the convening, or the session shall adjourn sine die.
• The Governor's authority to convene a special session remains intact and is not reduced by this amendment.
• An election will be held to approve the proposed constitutional amendment, with ballot language and description specified for voters.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments