Senate Bill 271 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

SB271 would amend Alabama’s constitution to require electing a Lieutenant Governor to fill certain vacancies and to require legislative travel expenditures to be approved by a legislative officer.

What This Bill Does

It establishes that if the Lieutenant Governor’s office becomes vacant during the first two years of a term, the office must be filled by election. If both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor offices are vacant more than 60 days before a general election, both offices would be elected at that election to fill the unexpired term. During a vacancy, the Governor’s duties could be carried out by designated state officers in a defined order. It also adds a requirement that any funds used for legislators’ travel be approved by a legislative officer elected from the full membership of the respective chamber.

Who It Affects

• Voters in Alabama, who would participate in elections to fill a Lieutenant Governor (and Governor) vacancy under the new rules and vote on the constitutional amendment itself.
• Members of the Alabama Legislature, whose travel expenditures would require approval by a legislative officer elected from each chamber's full membership.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 127 to require an election to fill the Lieutenant Governor’s office if the vacancy occurs during the first two years of a term; also provides for election of both Governor and Lieutenant Governor at the next general election if both offices are vacant more than 60 days before that election.
• Specifies the order of temporary gubernatorial administration during vacancies and outlines who may discharge the governor’s duties until successors are elected and qualified.
• Adds a new constitutional provision stating that any expenditure of funds for travel by members of the Legislature must be approved by a legislative officer elected from the full membership of the respective chamber.
• Includes ballot language describing the proposed amendment and the condition for ratification by a majority of voters.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments Statewide