SB165 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Candidates; revise statement of economic interests filing requirements

Summary

SB165 revamps Alabama's statement of economic interests by expanding who must file, what must be disclosed, and when, with penalties and ballot consequences for noncompliance.

What This Bill Does

It requires annual statements of economic interests to be filed by April 30 each year for a broad group of officials and public employees earning at least $75,000 per year, with the amount adjusted annually for inflation. It also sets new deadlines for candidates to file statements within five days after the deadline to file candidacy or after the first primary for independents, and allows proof of an existing current statement in certain cases. It expands what must be reported to include personal information, income, client lists, business interests, real estate, rental income, government rent, debt, and related categories, with some exemptions such as homestead debt and protections for undercover officers. It imposes penalties for late or false filings and lets the election official remove a candidate's name from the ballot if the statement is not filed, though the commission may grant up to five additional days for good cause.

Who It Affects

• Public officials and state/county/municipal employees whose base pay is $75,000 or more (as CPI adjusted) must file annual statements with the State Ethics Commission.
• Candidates for public office (including independents) must file statements within five days after the relevant candidacy deadlines; if they already have a current statement, they may show proof instead of filing anew.

Key Provisions

• Annual filing deadline: by April 30 each year for the preceding year, applying to elected officials and high-paid public employees as listed, with CPI-based adjustments.
• Pay threshold: most public employees earning less than $75,000 do not have to file unless required by law; the threshold is adjusted annually for inflation.
• Expanded reporting: statements must include personal information, household income, client lists, business interests, real estate holdings, rent income, debt to financial institutions, and other financial data across many categories.
• Athletic coaches exception: coaches at public four-year institutions receiving state funds do not have to report income beyond salary if such income is a condition of the employment contract, with reporting on a form provided by the commission.
• Penalties and ballot consequences: late or missing filings can trigger fines up to $1,000 and may result in removal of the candidate's name from the ballot; the commission may grant up to five extra days for good cause.
• Protective provisions: under certain circumstances (e.g., undercover officers), residential addresses and family member names can be redacted from public disclosure by filing an affidavit.
• Administrative changes and effective date: the State Ethics Commission can add more categories to the reporting list; the act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

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