SB21 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Donnie ChesteenSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Offices of Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court; judge of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals; judge of a circuit court or district court; member of the Legislature; Attorney General; State Auditor; Secretary of State; State Treasurer; Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries; member of the State Board of Education; and local sheriff, district attorney, circuit clerk, or constable required to be held by a natural born citizen of the United States, Constitutional Amendment

Summary

SB21 would amend the Alabama Constitution to require natural born US citizenship for a broad list of state and local offices, with updated age and residency rules for eligibility.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, natural born citizenship would be required for offices including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Supreme Court Justices, Court of Civil Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals judges, circuit and district court judges, members of the Legislature, and several statewide and local offices. It would also set or revise age and residency requirements (for example, Governor must be at least 30 with 10 years US citizenship and 7 years residency in Alabama; Senators 25 and Representatives 21; other offices with similar citizenship and residency requirements). The amendment would extend natural born citizenship to roles like Attorney General, State Auditor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, and members of the State Board of Education, as well as local offices such as sheriffs, district attorneys, circuit clerks, and constables. It would also include impeachment provisions for sheriffs and require implementing laws and voter ratification to take effect.

Who It Affects

• Candidates for and current holders of major state offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, judges, legislators, and statewide officials) would face natural born citizenship and new age/residency rules.
• Local officials such as sheriffs, district attorneys, circuit clerks, and constables (and members of the State Board of Education) would also be subject to natural born citizenship requirements and related eligibility changes.

Key Provisions

• Natural born citizenship requirement for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Supreme Court Justices, Court of Civil Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals judges, circuit and district court judges, and members of the Legislature, plus several statewide and local offices.
• Updated or added age and residency standards for eligibility (e.g., Governor 30+, 10 years US citizenship, 7 years Alabama residency; Senators 25+, Representatives 21+ with county/district residency requirements).
• Natural born citizenship requirement applies to Attorney General, State Auditor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, and State Board of Education members; includes associated residency and qualification criteria.
• Local officials such as sheriffs, district attorneys, circuit clerks, and constables would be required to be natural born; impeachment provisions related to sheriffs' conduct are included.
• The amendment would repeal conflicting provisions of the current constitution, require voter ratification, and mandate implementing laws to carry out the changes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

State & State Officers