HB9 Sponsor(s): Representative McMillan

SB62 Sponsor(s): Senators Pittman, Dial, Beason, Orr, Glover, Waggoner, Marsh, Reed, Williams, Scofield, Taylor, Fielding, Hightower, Brewbaker, Sanford, Holley and Allen

Summary/Synopsis: Creates Fair Ballot Commission to approve statements explaining, in plain language, what a yes or no vote on ballot measures would mean.  Commission would have 15 members: Governor, Lt. Governor, Commission of Agriculture and Industries, Speaker of House, Secretary of State; each of the above would also appoint one licensed attorney and one non-attorney private citizen to the commission.  An advisory board (non-voting) would consist of Chair, Vice-Chair, and ranking minority member of the Committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections in the House and Senate.  The appointed committee members must reflect the gender, racial, and geographic diversity of the state.  The explanations are to be posted on the commission website, and individual members' short (300-word) explanations can also be posted.  If the commission does not agree on an explanation, that shall be posted.

Download HB9.

Download HB9 Amendment 157479-1.

Download HB9 Amendment 157481-1.

Download HB9 Amendment 160952-2.

Download HB9/SB62 Conference Committee Substitute 160989-1.

Download SB62.

League Action and Justification: Monitor

This legislation would cover constitutional amendments, initiative measures should the initiative be added to the Alabama Constitution and other statewide ballot items.

Theoretically, this should lead to greater transparency and a more informed electorate both of which are League goals.  However, the potential for one-party or one-ideological domination of the Commission could influence interpretation of proposed measures.

The Alabama League has guidelines for appropriate content if initiative is adopted. Some of the specific items are included in this bill.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

HB9

01/14/2014: First Reading and referred to the
01/15/2014: 2nd Reading and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd reading and Favorable from CC&E.

01/23/2014: 3rd Reading Passed; Coleman-Evans Amendment (157479-1) Offered; Motion to Adopt adopted by roll call vote (77-9-2); Rogers Amendment Offered (157481-1) ; Motion to Adopt adopted by roll call vote (85-0-7); Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by roll call voter (83-7-1)

01/23/2014: Read for the First Time in the Senate and referred to the
Note: This committee will hold a public hearing on this bill on Tuesday, January 28.

02/06/2014: 2nd Read and placed on the Calendar; pending 3rd Read and Favorable from CCFE&E.

02/26/2014: 3rd Reading Carried Over; Marsh motion to Carry Over adopted by Voice Vote; Further Consideration.

03/20/2014: 3rd Reading Passed; Coleman Amendment (160952-2 ) Offered; Coleman motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call (27-3-0); Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call (32-0-0)

House:

03/20/2014: Concurrence Requested: McMillan motion to Non Concur and Appoint Conference Committee adopted by Roll Call (92-0-1); House appoints McMillan, Sessions and Scott

Note: The Coleman amendment adds to the Commission membership by appointments made by Alabama State University School of Public Policy, Samford University School of Public Policy, and Miles College School of Law.

Senate:

04/01/2014: Conference Committee Requested; Marsh motion to Accede adopted by Roll Call vote (25-1-0); P&PO appoints Pittman, Brewbaker and Dunn

House:

04/01/2014: Conference Committee Appointed;

04/02/2014: Conference Report (160989-1 is the Conference Committee Substitute); McMillan motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted by Roll call (99-0-0); Mitchell dissent filed;

Senate:

04/03/2014: Conference Report Concurrence Requested; Marsh motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted by Roll Call (28-3-0)

House:

04/03/2014: Concurred in Conference Report

Senate:

04/03/2014: Signature Requested;

House:

04/03/2014: Enrolled; Clerk of the House Certification; Forwarded to the Governor.


SB62

01/14/2014: First Reading and referred to the
01/15/2014: 2nd Reading and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd reading and Favorable from CCFE&E.

Sponsor(s): Representative Sanderford

Summary/Synopsis: Under this bill it would no longer be necessary to print voter lists in local newspapers.  The names would appear on the county commission's website.  If the commission does not have a website, they would appear on the website of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.  A printed list would be available, on request, at reasonable cost.

Download HB71.

Download HB71 Amendment 158240-2.

League Action and Justification: Monitor.

This bill might make it more difficult to get a list of voters, possibly affecting transparency.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

01/14/2014: First Reading and referred to the
01/14/2014: Recommitted from CC&E to the
01/16/2014: Read for the 2nd time and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Reading and Favorable from CC&MG

02/04/2014: 3rd Read passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass Adopted by Roll Call (67-22-2); Bracy voted “Yea” and intended to Abstain

02/06/2014: Read for the first time in the Senate and referred to the
02/18/2014: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar with 1 Amendment (158240-2); CCFE&E 1st Amendment Offered; pending 3rd Read and Favorable from CCFE&E with 1 Amendment

NOTE: The amendment has the county administrator receive the information for posting and that administrator is to see that it is posted.

Sponsor(s): Representative Merrill

Summary/Synopsis: This bill would require that voters register to vote by party and would allow only persons registered as members of a given party to vote in that party's primary. [Closed primaries bar those registered as Independents from voting in primary elections.]

League Position and Justification: Monitor for public information. LWVAL has not studied this issue and therefore has no position on it.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

01/14/2014: Read for the first time and referred to the