Senate Bill 194 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 17, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Sam GivhanSenator
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Ethics, eliminate certain notification requirement for candidates to Ethics Commission when otherwise in compliance with law
Summary: SB194 would remove the requirement that candidates who already filed a statement of economic interests notify the State Ethics Commission when they qualify for candidacy.
What This Bill Does
The bill would remove the candidate notification requirement, while keeping the other ethics filing rules in place. Candidates still must file a completed statement for the previous year within five days after the candidacy deadline (or, for independent candidates, within five days after the first primary date; for municipal offices, within five days after the municipal filing deadline). If a current statement is already on file for any reason, no second filing is required for candidacy; if the prior filing was for a reason other than candidacy, the candidate must provide proof or file a new or amended statement by the deadline. If a candidate fails to submit the required statement or amendment, their name cannot appear on the ballot, though the ethics commission may grant up to five additional days for good cause.

Who It Affects
Candidates for Alabama public office who have already filed a statement of economic interests (they will not need to notify the Ethics Commission when qualifying).
State Ethics Commission and election officials (they will continue to manage filings and ballot qualifications, but will not receive candidate-initiated notification of existing statements).

Key Provisions
Eliminate the requirement that a candidate who has already filed a current statement of economic interests notify the State Ethics Commission of this fact upon qualifying.
Maintain the five-day filing window for the annual statement after candidacy deadlines (or municipal deadlines) and allow a current statement on file to avoid a second filing.
If a candidate filed for a reason other than candidacy, require proof of prior submission or a new/amended statement by the deadline.
If a candidate does not submit the required statements, their name is removed from the ballot with a possible up to five-day extension for good cause.

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