SB270 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to monuments; to require the Alabama State Commission on the Arts to oversee the construction of a statue of John Lewis at the entrance to the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Summary

SB270 would appoint the Alabama State Council on the Arts to oversee the design and construction of a life-size John Lewis statue at the Edmund Pettus Bridge entrance.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the Alabama State Council on the Arts would commission the design and construction of a life-size statue of Civil Rights leader John Lewis to be placed at the Northwestern entrance to the Edmund Pettus Bridge at Broad Street and Water Avenue, with a protective barrier and pedestal base. The council may accept public or private gifts, grants, and donations including in-kind services, and may use funds appropriated by the Legislature if necessary. The statue may not be relocated, removed, altered, renamed, or disturbed without the council's prior permission. It becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Alabama State Council on the Arts – gains responsibility to commission and oversee the statue project and manage related funding and permissions
• Donors and supporters – may contribute gifts, grants, and in-kind services to support the statue project
• Public in the Edmund Pettus Bridge area – will see a new statue at a fixed location and be subject to protections around the monument

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: The Alabama State Council on the Arts shall commission the design and construction of a life-size statue of John Lewis dedicated to him, to be placed near the Northwestern entrance to the Edmund Pettus Bridge at Broad Street and Water Avenue with a protective barrier and pedestal base
• Provision 2: The Council may accept gifts, grants, and donations including in kind services and may use funds appropriated by the Legislature if necessary; the statue cannot be relocated, removed, altered, renamed, or disturbed without the Council's prior permission; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor 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

Monument. to erect statue of John Lewis.