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AlabamaSB482025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Boards of Registrars; qualifications of registrars revised; salary increased; status of employment further provided for

Sponsored By: Bobby D. Singleton (Democratic)

Enacted

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

County health coverage for long-serving registrars

Beginning October 1, 2025, counties can let registrar chairs or members with at least 16 years of service join county health plans. The county commission must approve participation. Eligible registrars receive the same terms, conditions, and employee contribution rates as county employees. This option excludes the state-administered health plans named in the law.

Higher daily pay for Alabama registrars

Beginning October 1, 2025, Alabama county registrars earn $115 per attendance day, up from $80—a $35 increase. They also receive holiday pay when the courthouse is closed, and counties cannot cut existing county supplements because of this law. The state sends counties monthly funds for pay and employer Social Security taxes; counties submit itemized invoices and pay registrars. Payments require an order from a quorum, meaning enough board members to conduct business. Registrars have state-employee status for the cited employment law and equal Social Security treatment, which state and county officials must ensure.

Travel repayment rules for county registrars

Beginning October 1, 2025, registrars receive official-travel mileage payments at the higher of the state or county rate. Counties pay travel and other expenses, and the state reimburses counties upon written request. In counties with at least 600,000 residents under the latest federal decennial census, these mileage rules do not apply. Existing local mileage laws remain in effect there.

New appointment and skill rules for registrars

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Governor, State Auditor, and Agriculture Commissioner—or their majority—appoint county registrars and choose a chair. They must consider county racial, gender, urban, rural, and economic diversity, without guaranteeing any appointment outcome. Registrars must be county residents and qualified voters, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and hold no elective office. They must show strong communication skills and intermediate computer skills, including spreadsheets, web systems, and file uploads and downloads; the Secretary of State sets qualification guidelines. Counties with at least 600,000 residents under the stated census rule retain existing appointment laws; local laws can add members in two-courthouse counties.

Public hours and workday limits for registrars

Beginning October 1, 2025, registrar boards must keep courthouse hours or make regular office hours public on designated workdays. A registrar or staff member must be present during those hours. A board quorum sets actual session days based on county needs, within county-specific yearly limits; many caps range from 120 to 220 days. Some counties have a five-day weekly limit, with Jefferson County exempt; Lawrence County's 60 extra days require county funding without state reimbursement. Boards can use up to 25 days for special registration sessions, subject to public-notice requirements.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bobby D. Singleton

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Linda Coleman-Madison

    Democratic • Senate

  • Merika Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Stewart

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 320 • No: 1

House vote • 2/25/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 216

Yes: 101 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/25/2025

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 101 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 103

Yes: 29 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

Singleton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 102

Yes: 30 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

Singleton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 101

Yes: 30 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 29 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    3/4/2025Senate

  2. Third Reading in Second House

    2/25/2025House

  3. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 216

    2/25/2025House

  4. Ready to Enroll

    2/25/2025Senate

  5. Enrolled

    2/25/2025Senate

  6. Signature Requested

    2/25/2025House

  7. Delivered to Governor

    2/25/2025Senate

  8. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/20/2025House

  9. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/19/2025House

  10. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/13/2025Senate

  11. State Governmental Affairs 1st Amendment Offered

    2/13/2025Senate

  12. State Governmental Affairs 2nd Amendment Offered

    2/13/2025Senate

  13. Singleton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 101

    2/13/2025Senate

  14. Singleton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 102

    2/13/2025Senate

  15. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 103

    2/13/2025Senate

  16. Engrossed

    2/13/2025Senate

  17. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General Fund

    2/13/2025House

  18. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/13/2025House

  19. State Governmental Affairs 1st Amendment

    2/12/2025Senate

  20. State Governmental Affairs 2nd Amendment

    2/12/2025Senate

  21. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/12/2025Senate

  22. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/12/2025Senate

  23. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on State Governmental Affairs

    2/4/2025Senate

  24. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    2/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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