SB242 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim McClendon
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Attorney General, required to provide opinion to state legislature under certain conditions, Sec. 36-15-1 am'd.
Summary: SB242 would require the Alabama Attorney General to provide written opinions to any state legislator on questions of law related to legislators' duties, expanding beyond current practice.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, the Attorney General must respond to individual legislators who request an opinion on a question of law about the duties of a state legislator (excluding pending legislation). The opinions may be in writing or delivered otherwise. The bill also requires the AG to publish written opinions on the internet in a searchable form and to send copies to public officials who request them, while preserving existing duties to provide opinions to other state officers and to the Judiciary Committee chair when needed.

Who It Affects
State legislators: gain the right to request and receive AG opinions on questions of law related to their official duties.
Public officials and the general public: will have access to AG opinions through online publication and by request.

Key Provisions
Provision 1: Amends Section 36-15-1 to require the Attorney General to give written or other opinions on any question of law relating to the duties of a state legislator when requested by the legislator, excluding questions about pending legislation.
Provision 2: Maintains the Attorney General's existing authority to provide opinions on questions of law connected with the state's interests or department duties to specified officers and to the Judiciary Committee Chair when required.
Provision 3: Adds a requirement that the Attorney General post searchable electronic copies of written opinions on the Internet and send copies to public officials who request them.

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