HB500 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Becky Nordgren

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Mike BallChip BrownK.L. BrownTerri CollinsDickie DrakeBrett EasterbrookTracy EstesAllen FarleyDavid FaulknerJoe FaustCorey HarbisonMike HolmesSteve HurstGil IsbellSam JonesJamie KielCraig LipscombCharlotte MeadowsArnold MooneyEd OliverPhillip PettusRex ReynoldsProncey RobertsonJohn W. RogersRod ScottChris SellsGinny ShaverMatt SimpsonScott StadthagenShane StringerRodney SullivanAllen TreadawayDavid WheelerAndy WhittMargie WilcoxDebbie Wood

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

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

Summary

HB500 would allow the Alabama Legislature to call itself into a special session under certain conditions, changing who can convene a session.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 122 of the Alabama Constitution to let the Legislature convene a special session on extraordinary occasions, under conditions similar to when the Governor can call one, and requires the proclamation to name the matters to be addressed. It also adds a process for the Legislature to call itself into a special session: the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House can issue a joint proclamation, and on the first day each house must approve the convening by a two-thirds vote or the session ends. The Governor’s authority to call a special session remains intact and unaffected. The change would require voters to approve the amendment in a statewide election.

Who It Affects

• Legislators (Senate and House) would gain the power to convene a special session themselves using a joint proclamation, but only if both houses vote by two-thirds on the first day to affirm the convening.
• Voters in Alabama would vote in a statewide election to decide whether to add this new power to the Constitution.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 122 of the Constitution to authorize the Legislature to call itself into a special session on extraordinary occasions, under conditions similar to those that allow the Governor to call one, and requires the proclamation to specify the matters for action.
• Allows the Senate President Pro Tempore and the House Speaker to convene the Legislature by joint proclamation under the same conditions; requires a two-thirds vote in each house on the first day to affirm the convening; governor’s authority remains unchanged.

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