HB48 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Legislature, legislative sessions divided into two periods; deadline for passing budget bills imposed; Governor veto procedures revised; constitutional amendment

Summary

HB48 would split Alabama's regular legislative sessions into two periods, require budget bills to pass before the second period, and add a veto override process, while removing obsolete constitutional provisions.

What This Bill Does

If approved, regular sessions would be divided into two periods starting in 2027. The first period (February start) would have strict daylimits and must pass basic budget bills; if those aren’t finished, a special budget session would occur to finish budget work with only budget-related bills. The second period (September start) would be shorter and allow the Legislature to reconsider bills that were vetoed by the Governor. The amendment also reorganizes organizational procedures at the start of each quadrennium and repeals obsolete parts of the constitution.

Who It Affects

• Members of the Alabama Legislature, who would operate under a two-period session structure with revised budgeting and veto override rules
• The Governor, whose vetoes would be subject to a defined override process and timelines
• State agencies and the budget office, which would plan and finalize the budget within the first period and potentially during special budget sessions
• Voters, who would vote to ratify the constitutional amendment in an election

Key Provisions

• Divide each regular legislative session into two periods, beginning with the 2027 Regular Session
• First period: starts on the first Tuesday in February; limited to 20 legislative days and 75 calendar days
• If a basic budget bill is not passed in the first period, a special budget session is called to complete budget work, with only budget bills allowed
• Special budget session length: up to 12 legislative days and 85 calendar days
• Second period: starts on the first Tuesday in September; limited to 10 legislative days and 30 calendar days
• During the second period, the Legislature may reconsider bills passed in the first period that were vetoed by the Governor
• Governor veto process clarified: when a bill is returned with objections, both houses must vote to pass over the veto, and amendments may be handled with specific override rules
• If the Governor does not act within designated days, the bill may become law under certain conditions, with exceptions if the Legislature is adjourned or in recess
• Organizational session at the start of each quadrennium (up to 10 days) to elect leaders, organize committees, and handle limited business
• Provisions for relocating the Legislature in emergencies and repeal of obsolete sections (48.01 and 48.02) and related language updates

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