SB169 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Executive Branch, Governor authorized to appoint vacancy in office of Lieutenant Governor, statewide constitutional amendment

Summary

SB169 would let the Governor appoint a replacement if the Lieutenant Governor's office becomes vacant.

What This Bill Does

If the amendment passes, the Governor would be able to fill a vacancy in the Lieutenant Governor's office. The appointed person would serve until the disability is removed or a successor is elected and qualified. If the officer becomes of unsound mind, the Supreme Court would determine that status upon the Governor's suggestion. The amendment would be put to voters to ratify, and if approved, the Code Commissioner would place it in the Constitution with standard non-substantive edits.

Who It Affects

• Governor and the Lieutenant Governor's office, who would see the vacancy filled by gubernatorial appointment and the appointment timeline defined.
• Alabama residents/voters, who would ultimately vote on whether to ratify the constitutional amendment and would experience the effect of continued leadership continuity during vacancies.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 136 of the Alabama Constitution of 2022 to authorize the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor.
• The Governor’s appointment would last until the disability is removed or a successor is elected and qualified.
• If the officer becomes of unsound mind, the unsoundness would be ascertained by the Alabama Supreme Court upon the Governor's suggestion.
• Upon ratification, the Code Commissioner will place the amendment in the Constitution and may perform nonsubstantive revisions; an election would be held to ratify the amendment following the state’s election laws.

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