Alabama Senate Bill SB308

Alabama 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/11/23
• Refer: 5/11/23

Caption

Proposing to amend Section 76 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, and add a new section to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to authorize the Legislature to call itself into a special session and provide for the process for convening a special session.

Impact

The proposed amendment could significantly alter the dynamics of legislative authority in Alabama. By giving the legislature the ability to convene itself, it would streamline the process for addressing pressing issues without solely relying on the Governor's judgment. This could lead to quicker legislative responses to emergencies or urgent matters requiring assembly. Furthermore, the bill sets clear guidelines on the timeframe for convening a session, ensuring an organized and structured approach to this new process.

Summary

SB308 proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, focused on empowering the legislature to call itself into a special session. Currently, only the Governor has the authority to initiate a special session. This bill seeks to modify this structure by allowing a specified portion (30 percent) of legislature members to request such a session, after which the Secretary of State would poll members. If the majority agrees, a special session could be convened according to the stipulated procedures outlined in the bill.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB308 may arise from concerns over the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. Critics might argue that allowing the legislature to call its own sessions could undermine the executive authority traditionally held by the Governor. Additionally, there might be discussions around potential abuse of this power, where the legislature could convene sessions for partisan motivations rather than genuine legislative needs. These debates are likely to shape the discourse as the bill progresses through the legislative process.