HB388 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim CarnsRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Dickie DrakeAllen FarleyDavid FaulknerDanny GarrettArnold MooneyDavid StandridgeAllen TreadawayRich Wingo

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Elections, requires implementation date of any legislation affecting conduct of general election to be at least six months before general election, const. amend.

Summary

HB388 would require any election-related bill enacted in a year with a general election to take effect at least six months before that election.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the amendment would add a rule to the Alabama Constitution requiring a six-month lead time before a general election for any bill passed that year and relates to how the election is run. It applies only to bills enacted in a calendar year that has a general election and concerns election conduct. The measure is a constitutional amendment and would need approval from voters before it becomes law. It changes when such laws would take effect, not the content of the laws themselves.

Who It Affects

• State lawmakers would need to plan and implement election-related laws so they take effect at least six months before a general election.
• Election officials and voters would experience changes in timing for implementing election-related rules, affecting election administration and planning.

Key Provisions

• Adds a new provision to the Alabama Constitution (1901) requiring the implementation date for any election-related bill enacted in a year with a general election to be at least six months before the election.
• Describes the process for adoption: the amendment must be approved by a majority of qualified electors voting on the measure; requires ballot language and election procedures to place the amendment before 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