HB16 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill LambRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Fair Campaign Practices Act; authorize notifications of civil penalties by electronic mail in lieu of certified mail in certain circumstances

Summary

HB16 would allow electronic notice by email from the Secretary of State for civil penalties under the Fair Campaign Practices Act, under certain conditions, instead of relying only on certified mail.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the Fair Campaign Practices Act to let the Secretary of State send civil-penalty notices by email if an email address is on file, in addition to the current certified mail. If an email notice is sent, the notice filed with the relevant campaign committee would also be sent by email, and if the penalty amount exceeds the cost of certified mail, certified mail must still be used. Other parts of the penalty system—how penalties are set, collected, payment deadlines, and enforcement for repeat offenses—remain in place, with this email option applying under specified conditions.

Who It Affects

• Candidates and political action committees that file required reports, who may receive electronic penalty notices if an email is on file
• The Secretary of State, who would issue notices by email (and by certified mail when required)
• Individuals or entities subject to penalties for late or inaccurate campaign reports (under updated notification rules)

Key Provisions

• Authorizes electronic notice of civil penalties to be sent if an email on file with the Secretary of State
• If penalty exceeds the cost of certified mail, require certified mail notice as well
• Maintains existing penalty schedules, payment deadlines (within 45 days), and allocation of penalties to the State General Fund
• Keeps penalties and enforcement provisions for multiple offenses, including the 4th offense presumptive intent and required action to notify AG and district attorney
• Allows voluntary amendments to reports without penalties under specified timing
• Provides a 48-hour grace period for the first late filing without penalty
• Effective date: October 1, 2026

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 31, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns