HB194 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes AllenSecretary

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Elections, prohibits state and local election officials and their employees from soliciting, accepting, using, or disposing of certain donations from individuals or nongovernmental entities for funding certain election-related expenses

Summary

HB194 bars election officials and their staff from soliciting or using private donations to fund election expenses, with limited exceptions and penalties.

What This Bill Does

Defines what counts as election-related expenses and prohibits officials or their employees from soliciting, accepting, or using donations from individuals or nongovernmental entities to fund those expenses or voter education. It allows two limited exceptions: donations of space that can be used as a polling place, and emergency health-item donations distributed by the Governor to counties. Violations are a Class B misdemeanor, and the bill is exempt from certain constitutional spending rules because it creates a new crime or changes the crime definition. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Election officials and their employees: cannot solicit/accept/use private donations to fund election-related expenses or voter programs.
• Donors (individuals or nongovernmental entities): restricted from providing money, grants, property, or services for funding election expenses or voter programs, with limited exceptions.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'election-related expenses' to include salaries for election officials and workers, equipment, ballots, printing, mailing, transportation, signage or media production, and training expenses.
• Prohibits state or local public officials responsible for elections, or their employees, from soliciting, accepting, or using donations for funding election-related expenses or voter education/outreach/registration.
• Exception allows donation of space to be temporarily used for a polling place.
• In a proclaimed state public health emergency, allows donations of items for health preservation to be accepted by the Governor for distribution to all 67 counties, with notice on the Governor's website and distribution equally among counties; the Governor may transfer items to the Secretary of State for distribution.
• Any violation of these provisions is a Class B misdemeanor.
• The bill is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it defines a new crime or amends the crime definition.
• Effective date: first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.

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