Article IV — Legislative Department
105 sections · 0 paragraphs in this article.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 44 Composition of legislature
0.1K chars
The legislative power of this state shall be vested in a legislature, which shall consist of a senate and a house of representatives.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 45 Style of laws; division of laws; laws restricted to one subject; amendment or revival of laws by title only
0.7K chars
The style of the laws of this state shall be: ‘‘Be it enacted by the legislature of Alabama,’’ which need not be repeated, but the act shall be divided into sections for convenience, according to substance, and the sections designated merely by figures. Each law shall contain but…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 46 Election and terms of office of senators and representatives; vacancies in office
2.4K chars
(a) Senators and representatives shall be elected by the qualified electors on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November unless the Legislature shall change the time of holding elections and in every fourth year thereafter. The terms of office of the senators and repre…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 47 Qualifications of senators and representatives
0.5K chars
Senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and representatives twenty-one years of age at the time of their election. They shall have been citizens and residents of this state for three years and residents of their respective counties or districts for one year next befo…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 48 Time and place of meetings of legislature; maximum length of sessions
0.9K chars
The legislature shall meet quadrennially at the capitol in the senate chamber, and in the hall of the house of representatives, on the second Tuesday in January next succeeding their election, or on such other day as may be prescribed by law; and shall not remain in session longe…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 49 Compensation and expenses of members of Legislature
4.3K chars
Section 1. (a) The Legislature recognizes that the public trust in the legislative body is of paramount importance. The Legislature further recognizes that government transparency and accountability are vital to the preservation of the public trust. To that end, it is the purpose…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 50 Number of senators and representatives; apportionment of legislators
0.4K chars
The legislature shall consist of not more than thirty-five senators, and not more than one hundred and five members of the house of representatives, to be apportioned among the several districts and counties, as prescribed in this Constitution; provided that in addition to the ab…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 51 Election of president pro tem of senate and speaker of house of representatives; temporary president and speaker; officers of each house; each house judge of election, returns and qualifications of members
1.1K chars
The senate, at the beginning of each regular session, and at such other times as may be necessary, shall elect one of its members president pro tem. thereof, to preside over its deliberations in the absence of the lieutenant- governor; and the house of representatives, at the beg…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 52 Quorum in each house
0.2K chars
A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 53 Rules of proceedings of both houses; punishment for contempt or disorderly behavior; enforcement of process; protection of members from violence, bribes, etc.; expulsion of members
0.5K chars
Each house shall have power to determine the rules of its proceedings and to punish its members and other persons, for contempt or disorderly behavior in its presence; to enforce obedience to its processes; to protect its members against violence, or offers of bribes or corrupt s…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 54 Expulsion for corruption bar to further service in legislature; punishment for contempt or disorderly behavior not bar to indictment for same offense
0.2K chars
A member of the legislature, expelled for corruption, shall not thereafter be eligible to either house, and punishment for contempt or disorderly behavior shall not bar an indictment for the same offense.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 55 Journal of proceedings of each house
0.6K chars
Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings and cause the same to be published immediately after its adjournment, excepting such parts as, in its judgment, may require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the request of on…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 56 Immunity of legislators
0.4K chars
Members of the legislature shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, violation of their oath of office, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for an…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 57 Doors of each house to be open; exceptions; restrictions on admittance to floor
0.5K chars
The doors of each house shall be opened except on such occasions as, in the opinion of the house, may require secrecy, but no person shall be admitted to the floor of either house while the same is in session, except members of the legislature, the officers and employes of the tw…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 58 Adjournment or change of place of sitting by one house without consent of other house
0.2K chars
Neither house shall, without consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which they may be sitting except as otherwise provided in this Constitution.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 59 Appointment of legislators to other offices during terms for which elected
0.3K chars
No senator or representative shall, during the term for which he shall have been elected, be appointed to any office of profit under this state, which shall have been created, or the emoluments of which shall have been increased during such term, except such offices as may be fil…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 60 Conviction of certain crimes bar to eligibility for legislature and to holding state office of trust or profit
0.2K chars
No person convicted of embezzlement of the public money, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime, shall be eligible to the legislature, or capable of holding any office of trust or profit in this state.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 61 Laws to be passed by bills; restrictions on amendments to bills
0.2K chars
No law shall be passed except by bill, and no bill shall be so altered or amended on its passage through either house as to change its original purpose.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 62 Referral of bills to standing committees
0.2K chars
No bill shall become a law until it shall have been referred to a standing committee of each house, acted upon by such committee in session, and returned therefrom, which facts shall affirmatively appear upon the journal of each house.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 63 Number of readings for bills; recordation of votes on bills; majority vote required for passage of bills
0.4K chars
Every bill shall be read on three different days in each house, and no bill shall become a law, unless on its final passage it be read at length, and the vote be taken by yeas and nays, the names of the members voting for and against the same be entered upon the journals, and a m…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 64 Procedure for amendment of bills; adoption of reports of committees of conference
0.7K chars
No amendment to bills shall be adopted except by a majority of the house wherein the same is offered, nor unless the amendment with the names of those voting for and against the same shall be entered at length on the journal of the house in which the same is adopted, and no amend…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 65 Lotteries and gift enterprises prohibited
0.4K chars
The legislature shall have no power to authorize lotteries or gift enterprises for any purposes, and shall pass laws to prohibit the sale in this state of lottery or gift enterprise tickets, or tickets in any scheme in the nature of a lottery; and all acts, or parts of acts heret…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 66 Signature of bills by presiding officer of each house; reading of bills at length may be dispensed with
0.5K chars
The presiding officer of each house shall, in the presence of the house over which he presides, sign all bills and joint resolutions passed by the legislature, after the same shall have been publicly read at length immediately before signing, and the fact of reading and signing s…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 67 Number, duties and compensation of officers and employees of each house
0.3K chars
The legislature shall prescribe by law the number, duties, and compensation of the officers and employes of each house, and no payment shall be made from the state treasury or be in any way authorized to any person except to an acting officer or employe elected or appointed in pu…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 68 Extra compensation not to be granted public officer, employee, contractor, etc., after service rendered or con- tract made; increase or decrease of compensation of officers during term of office
0.9K chars
The legislature shall have no power to grant or to authorize or require any county or municipal authority to grant, nor shall any county or municipal authority have power to grant any extra compensation, fee, or allowance to any public officer, servant, or employe, agent or contr…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 69 Stationery, printing, fuel, etc., to be furnished by lowest responsible bidder; conflicts of interest
0.7K chars
All stationery, printing, paper, and fuel used in the legislative and other departments of government shall be furnished and the printing, binding, and distribution of laws, journals, department reports, and all other printing, binding, and repairing and furnishing the halls and …
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 70 Revenue bills to originate in House of Representatives; preparation of general revenue bill; amendments to revenue bills by Senate; time limit for passage of revenue bills
0.7K chars
All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the house of representatives. The governor, auditor, and attorney-general shall, before each regular session of the legislature, prepare a general revenue bill to be submitted to the legislature, for its information, and the secret…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 71 Restrictions on general appropriation bill
0.5K chars
The general appropriation bill shall embrace nothing but appropriations for the ordinary expenses of the executive, legislative, and judicial departments of the state, for interest on the public debt, and for the public schools. The salary of no officer or employe shall be increa…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 72 Restrictions on general appropriation bill
0.3K chars
No money shall be paid out of the treasury except upon appropriations made by law, and on warrant drawn by the proper officer in pursuance thereof; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public moneys shall be published annually, in such manner as…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 73 Appropriations to charitable or educational institutions not under absolute control of state
0.3K chars
No appropriation shall be made to any charitable or educational institution not under the absolute control of the state, other than normal schools established by law for the professional training of teachers for the public schools of the state, except by a vote of two-thirds of a…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 74 Restrictions on investment of trust funds by executors, trustees, etc., in private corporations
0.7K chars
No act of the legislature shall authorize the investment of any trust fund by executors, administrators, guardians, or other trustees in the stock of any private corporation; any such acts now existing are avoided, saving investments heretofore made; provided, however, that, unle…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 75 Change of venue in civil and criminal cases
0.1K chars
The power to change the venue in civil and criminal causes is vested in the courts, to be exercised in such manner as shall be provided by law.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 76 Restrictions on legislation at special sessions
0.3K chars
When the legislature shall be convened in special session, there shall be no legislation upon subjects other than those designated in the proclamation of the governor calling such session, except by a vote of two-thirds of each house. Special sessions shall be limited to thirty d…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 77 State office for inspection or measuring of merchandise, commodities, etc., prohibited
0.2K chars
No state office shall be continued or created for the inspection or measuring of any merchandise, manufacture, or commodity, but any county or municipality may appoint such officers when authorized by law.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 78 Legislation to change seat of government of state
0.3K chars
No act of the legislature changing the seat of government of the state shall become a law until the same shall have been submitted to the qualified electors of the state at a general election, and approved by a majority of such electors voting on the same; and such act shall spec…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 79 Bribery — Solicitation, acceptance, etc., of bribes by legislators
1.1K chars
A member of the legislature who shall solicit, demand, or receive, or consent to receive, directly or indirectly, for himself or for another, from any company, corporation, association, or person, any money, office, appointment, employment, reward, thing of value, or enjoyment, o…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 80 Bribery — Offer, gift, etc., of money, etc., to executive or judicial officers or members of legislature to influence official acts
0.4K chars
Any person who shall, directly or indirectly, offer, give, or promise any money, or thing of value, testimonial, privilege, or personal advantage, to any executive or judicial officer or member of the legislature to influence him in the performance of any of his public or officia…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 81 Offense of corrupt solicitation to be defined by law
0.6K chars
The offense of corrupt solicitation of members of the legislature or of public officers of this state or of any municipal division thereof, and any occupation or practice of solicitation of such members or officers, to influence their official action, shall be defined by law, and…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 82 Disclosure of personal or private interest in bills, etc., by legislators
0.2K chars
A member of the legislature who has a personal or private interest in any measure or bill proposed or pending before the legislature, shall disclose the fact to the house of which he is a member, and shall not vote thereon.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 83 Voting in elections by legislature
0.1K chars
In all elections by the legislature the members shall vote viva voce, and the votes shall be entered on the journal.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 84 Adoption of laws to provide for arbitration between parties
0.2K chars
It shall be the duty of the legislature to pass such laws as may be necessary and proper to decide differences by arbitrators to be appointed by the parties who may choose that mode of adjustment.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 85 Periodic revision and promulgation of laws
0.3K chars
It shall be the duty of the legislature, at its first session after the ratification of this Constitution, and within every subsequent period of twelve years, to make provision by law for revising, digesting, and promulgating the public statutes of this state, of a general nature…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 86 Suppression of dueling
0.1K chars
The legislature shall pass such penal laws as it may deem expedient to suppress the evil practice of dueling.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 87 Deductions from salaries or compensation of public officers for neglect of duty
0.2K chars
It shall be the duty of the legislature to regulate by law the cases in which deduction shall be made from the salaries or compensation of public officers for neglect of duty in their official capacities, and the amount of such deduction.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 88 Counties to provide for maintenance of the poor
0.1K chars
It shall be the duty of the legislature to require the several counties of this state to make adequate provision for the maintenance of the poor.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 89 Municipalities not to pass laws in conflict with general laws of state
0.1K chars
The legislature shall not have power to authorize any municipal corporation to pass any laws inconsistent with the general laws of this state.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 90 Section 90
0.7K chars
Sec. Sec. 90. Acquisition of foreign territory; rights and privileges of inhabitants of acquired territory. In the event of the annexation of any foreign territory to this state, the legislature shall enact laws extending to the inhabitants of the acquired territory all the right…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 91 Exemption from taxation of state, county, municipal, cemetery and certain religious, educational and charitable property
0.5K chars
The legislature shall not tax the property, real or personal, of the state, counties, or other municipal corporations, or cemeteries; nor lots in incorporated cities and towns, or within one mile of any city or town to the extent of one acre, nor lots one mile or more distant fro…
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 92 Rules and regulations to ascertain value of property exempted from sale under legal process
0.3K chars
The legislature shall by law prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to ascertain the value of real and personal property exempted from sale under legal process by this Constitution, and to secure the same to the claimant thereof as selected.
Ala. Const. art. IV, § 93 State not to engage in internal improvements or lending money or credit for same; state interest in private or corporate enterprises; construction, maintenance, etc., of public roads, highways and bridges, harbors and seaports and public airports and air navigation facilities
1.6K chars
The state shall not engage in works of internal improvement, nor lend money or its credit in aid as such, except as may be authorized by the Constitution of Alabama or amendments thereto; nor shall the state be interested in any private or corporate enterprise, or lend money or i…