SB3 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2023

Title

Proposing to amend Section 71.01 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to authorize the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or constitutional amendments before the transmission of basic appropriations.

Summary

SB3 would let Alabama lawmakers sign and transmit local laws or local constitutional amendments before basic state appropriations are transmitted.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 71.01 to authorize the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or local constitutional amendments prior to the transmission of basic appropriations. It defines Basic Appropriations and Budget Period to clarify the spending and timing involved. It preserves the constitutional priority of passing basic appropriations but creates exceptions so local measures can move forward, including a mechanism for a three-fifths vote to exempt a bill, and it clarifies how the final passage rule changes after basic appropriations are signed and presented to the governor.

Who It Affects

• Local governments and residents: local laws or local constitutional amendments can be signed and transmitted earlier, potentially speeding their enactment or approval.
• Alabama Legislature, governor, and state agencies: changes to the ordering and timing of budget and non-budget legislation, with new rules for exemptions and a defined process for local measures alongside basic appropriations.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 71.01 to authorize the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or local constitutional amendments before basic appropriations are transmitted.
• Defines 'Basic Appropriations' and 'Budget Period' to specify what spending is covered and the time frame for budgeting.
• Allows local measures to proceed despite the basic appropriations sequencing, with the option for a three-fifths veto-proof vote in a house to exempt a bill from this rule, and permits certain other legislative actions that do not require a third reading.
• After signing and presenting basic appropriations bills to the governor, the prohibition on final passage of non-appropriation bills ends and cannot be revived through later actions or court rulings.
• Includes ratification provisions for certain pre-2016 local laws that conformed to the rules, and assigns administrative duties to place and revise the amendment in the constitution.

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

Subjects

Archives Department, revised membership and appointing authority of board trustees.