House Bill 471 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Lieutenant Governor, vacancy in office, require the office be filled by election in certain circumstances

Summary

HB471 would amend Alabama's Constitution to require electing a new Lieutenant Governor to fill a vacancy when the office becomes vacant more than 60 days before a general election.

What This Bill Does

It would require that if the Lieutenant Governor's office becomes vacant more than 60 days before a general election, a Lieutenant Governor is elected at that election to serve the unexpired term. It preserves the current rule that if the Governor's office becomes vacant, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor, and it also preserves the rule that if both offices are vacant, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected at the next general election to serve the unexpired term, with temporary leadership by other listed officers as needed. The amendment would be decided by voters in a statewide ballot and would take effect only after ratification.

Who It Affects

• Voters statewide in Alabama, who would vote in the general election to elect a Lieutenant Governor if a vacancy occurs more than 60 days before that election.
• Candidates and current officeholders of the Lieutenant Governor's office, as the process for filling a vacancy would require an election rather than leaving the office vacant.

Key Provisions

• Adds a provision to Section 127 requiring that a vacancy in the Lieutenant Governor's office occurring more than 60 days before the next general election be filled by electing a Lieutenant Governor at that election to serve the unexpired term.
• Keeps existing constitutional rules for governor vacancy (Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor) and for the scenario where both governor and lieutenant governor are vacant (Governor and Lieutenant Governor elected at the next general election for the unexpired term, with temporary administration by listed officers as needed).
• After ratification, allows for non-substantive editorial revisions by the Code Commissioner (style, references, etc.).
• Election language and voter description would appear on the ballot, with the amendment becoming valid only if approved by a majority of qualified electors.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments Statewide