HB7 Sponsor(s): Representative Nordgren
SB280 Sponsor(s): Senators Dunn, Beasley, Singleton, Smitherman, Coleman, Figures and Irons
(NOTE: SB280 is same bill as the amended HB7.)

Summary/Synopsis: This bill would require, upon written affidavit, the omission of the residential and mailing address of any registered voter who is a victim of domestic violence or who is the custodian of a minor victim of domestic violence.

League Action and Justification: Support.

The League has long been a strong supporter of every citizen’s right to vote and of removing impediments to voter registration and voting. This protective measure removes one such impediment.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

HB7

01/14/2014: First Reading and referred to the
01/22/2014: 2nd Reading and place on the calendar with 1 Amendment (157059-2); pending 3rd Reading and Favorable from CC&E with 1 Amendment (157059-2).

Note: The amendment calls for the required affidavit by the victim or guardian to be filed with the county Board of Registrars.


SB280

01/23/2014: First Reading and referred to the
02/06/2014: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from CCFE&E

02/20/2014: 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd time and Pass adopted by Roll Call vote

House:

02/20/2014: Read for the First time in the House and referred to the
03/05/2014: On the committee agenda, Room 123, 9:00 a.m.

03/05/2014: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and Favorable from CC&E

03/18/2014: 3rd Reading Passed ; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call (102-0-1); Signature Requested

Senate:

03/18/2014: Passed second house; Enrolled

Forwarded to Governor on March 18, 2014 at 3:50 p.m. on March 18, 2014

Sponsor(s): Senator Reed

Summary/Synopsis: This would authorize voters to get an absentee ballot if they cannot access their usual voting place because a state emergency has been declared by the Governor; i.e., if the polling place has become inaccessible.

Download SB15.

League Position and Justification: Support

This legislation would make it easier to vote in cases of emergency whether caused by nature or human beings.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

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

01/21/2014: 3rd Reading Carried Over; Marsh motion to Carry Over adopted by roll call vote;

01/23/2014: 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by roll call vote;

01/23/2014: Read for the 1st time in the House and referred to the
02/12/2014: 2nd Reading and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd reading and favorable from CC&E.

HB271 Sponsor(s): Representative Melton, Colston, Moore (M), Rogers, Scott, McCampbell, Buskey, Coleman-Evans, Warren, Jackson, England, Givan, Grimsley, Bracy, Forte and Boyd
SB347 Sponsor(s): Senator Sanders

Summary/Synopsis: This bill allows voter registration up to and including Election Day.

League Action and Justification: Support. This would enhance voter access.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

HB271

01/16/2014: Read for the first time and referred to the

SB347

02/12/2014: First Reading and referred to the
03/04/2014: On the committee agenda, Room 320, 11 a.m.

Sponsor(s): Senator Singleton

Summary/Synopsis: This would delay implementation of the voter photo ID requirement until the 2014 General Election, rather than the 2014 primaries.

League Action and Justification: Support.

This gives voters more time to get the required ID to vote.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

01/14/2014: Read for the First time and referred to the
Note: On the Committee agenda for Tuesday, January 28.

Sponsor(s): Representative Scott.

Summary/Synopsis: This legislation would require county boards of registrars to notify, by mail to the last known address, those persons who are about to be purged from the voter rolls. The only exception is for those who have died, where a valid death certificate has been presented.

League Action and Justification: Support. This process protects voters' rights.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

02/11/2014: Read for the first time and referred to the

Sponsor(s): Representative Merrill

Summary/Synopsis: This would require anyone or any entity who collects voter registration applications to turn them in to the registrar within 72 hours of collections.  Violation of this requirement would be a class C misdemeanor, and the individual would be prohibited from "organizing future duties" for a period of one year.

Download HB91.

Download HB91 Substitute 158571-2.

League Action and Justification: Strongly oppose. LWVAL also opposes the Substitute legislation.

LWVAL positions support the facilitation of voter registration processes and procedures that encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote and the right to participate in the political process. This is a very restrictive provision that could curtail voter registration efforts. 

Bill Progress in Legislature:

01/14/2014: Read for the first time and referred to the
02/20/2014: 2ND Read and placed on the calendar with 1 Substitute (158571-2); CC&E First Substitute Offered; pending 3rd Reading and favorable from CC&E with 1 Substitute.

04/01/2014: Indefinitely Postponed

Note: The bill requires turn in of forms to be within 72 hours; the summary state posted lists the time as 48 hours.

Sponsor(s): Senator Pittman

Summary/Synopsis: This bill extends the period of time during which voter registration is not allowed from 10 days to 17 days.

League Action and Justification: Oppose. This change would restrict voter access.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

01/21/2014: Read for the First time and referred to the

Sponsor(s): Senator Taylor

Summary/Synopsis: This bill is the same as SB225, except that it also removes the exception in the current law that allows local law to apply to voter registration in counties with population over 600,000.

League Action and Justification: Oppose. This change would restrict voter access.

Bill Progress in Legislature:

01/21/2014: Read for the First time and referred to the
01/23/2024: 2nd reading and placed on the calendar; Pending 3rd reading and Favorable from CCFE&E.

02/06/2014: 3rd Reading Carried Over; Motion to Carry Over adopted by Voice Vote: Further Consideration.

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

03/04/2014: 3rd Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Singleton motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote; 3rd Reading Passed; Marsh Amendment (159766-1) offered; March motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call vote (21-11-0); Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call (24-7-0)

03/05/2014: Engrossed

House:

03/05/2014: Read for the first time in the House and referred to the
03/15/2014: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and Favorable from CC&E

04/03/2014: 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call vote (70-31-0)

Senate: Passed 2nd House; Enrolled

House: Signature Requested; Delivered to Governor at 9:27 p.m. on April 3, 2014

Note: The Marsh Amendment changes the period of time during which voter registration is not allowed from 17 days to 14 days and begins implementation with the November 2014 general election. Current law places the number at 10 days.

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