HB166 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim HillRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Legislature; authority to set and alter compensation of county officers established
Summary: Proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Legislature to set and adjust county officer and sheriff pay by law, with changes taking effect only after the current term ends.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, the amendment would give the Legislature authority to fix and alter compensation for county officers and sheriffs by general or local law. However, any new pay changes could not take effect during the officer's fixed term or while an officer serves an unexpired term, meaning adjustments would apply starting after the term ends. The change would be added to the Constitution as Sections 68.01 and 68.02, while preserving existing protections against term-long pay changes for other offices.

Who It Affects
County officers and sheriffs: their compensation could be set or adjusted by law, but changes would not take effect until after their current term ends.
County governments and elected officials: affected by the new authority to determine pay through general or local laws.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 68.01 and adds Section 68.02 to authorize the Legislature to fix and alter the salary/compensation of county officers and sheriffs by general or local law.
Any alteration for officers elected or appointed for a fixed term shall not take effect until after that term ends; applies to changes for officers filling an unexpired term as well.
Prohibits increases or decreases in compensation from taking effect during the term of office, preserving term-based protections while enabling future adjustments.
Allows compensation changes by law in addition to existing constitutional powers, with delays designed to protect current terms.

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 Statewide