HB351 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Wes AllenJim CarnsDickie DrakeMike HolmesDavid Wheeler

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Elections, Governor suspending laws that would affect election process during state of emergency, prohibited before the election

Summary

HB351 would bar the Governor from issuing emergency directives that change how elections are conducted during the six months before any election.

What This Bill Does

During the six months before an election, the Governor cannot issue proclamations, orders, rules, or other directives under the state of emergency that would suspend, alter, or interpret election laws in a way that changes how the election is conducted. The restriction applies to directives issued under Article 1, Chapter 9, Title 31. The law would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval (or when it becomes law by other means).

Who It Affects

• Governor — cannot issue emergency directives in the six months before an election if they would suspend, alter, or reinterpret election laws, limiting his emergency powers in that window.
• Election administration and voters in Alabama — election laws cannot be suspended or changed by emergency directives during the six-month pre-election period, promoting stable election administration.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Prohibits the Governor from issuing proclamations, orders, rules, or other directives under Article 1, Chapter 9, Title 31 during the six-month pre-election period if they would suspend, alter, or interpret Titles 11 or 17 in a way that changes how an election is conducted.
• Provision 2: Sets the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor (or otherwise becoming law).

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

Subjects

Elections