HB521INTRODUCED
Page 0
7YG92E-1
By Representative Simpson
RFD: Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
First Read: 24-May-23
2023 Regular Session
1
2
3
4
5 7YG92E-1 05/24/2023 PMG (L)tgw 2023-2083
Page 1
SYNOPSIS:
There is no provision in state law that provides
for political party registration.
This bill would authorize the Secretary of State
to create a form posted on its website to allow
residents of voting age to register a political party
affiliation with the Secretary of State.
This bill would authorize the Secretary of State
to provide a political party with a list of registrants
with that political party under certain circumstances.
This bill would provide for criminal penalties
for violations.
This bill would be repealed on January 1, 2027.
Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of
2022, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect
would be to require a new or increased expenditure of
local funds from becoming effective with regard to a
local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3
vote unless: it comes within one of a number of
specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected
entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or
provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for
the purpose.
The purpose or effect of this bill would be to
require a new or increased expenditure of local funds
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 HB521 INTRODUCEDHB521 INTRODUCED
Page 2
within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill
does not require approval of a local governmental
entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective
because it comes within one of the specified exceptions
contained in the amendment.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to voting; to authorize the Secretary of State
to offer certain state residents the ability to register their
political party affiliation and provide a list of party
registrants to a political party in certain circumstances; to
provide criminal penalties for violations; to provide for the
repeal of this act on a certain date; and in connection
therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement
of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the
meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of
2022.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) The Secretary of State may offer on its
website a form to allow residents of this state who are 18
years of age or older to register their political party
affiliation by completing, signing, and returning the form to
the Secretary of State.
(b) Any individual who knowingly completes or signs the
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56 HB521 INTRODUCEDHB521 INTRODUCED
Page 3
form described in subsection (a) on behalf of another
individual commits the crime of tampering with governmental
records in violation of Section 13A-10-12, Code of Alabama
1975.
(c) Upon request, the Secretary of State, not more than
four times per calendar year, may provide a political party
with a list of all individuals registered with that political
party.
(d) The Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement
this section.
(e) For purposes of this section, political party means
a political party described in Section 17-13-40, Code of
Alabama 1975.
(f) This section is repealed on January 1, 2027.
Section 2. Although this bill would have as its purpose
or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of
local funds, the bill is excluded from further requirements
and application under Section 111.05 of the Constitution of
Alabama of 2022, because the bill defines a new crime or
amends the definition of an existing crime.
Section 3. This act shall become effective on the first
day of the third month following its passage and approval by
the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79