SB307

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, the Legislative Council consists of the Lieutenant Governor, 10 members of the Senate, and 10 members of the House of Representatives. A quorum of the Legislative Council is 12, a majority of the members of the council from each house. Actions of the Legislative Council are required to be approved by the same number.

This bill would provide that actions of the council require a majority of the members voting, a quorum being present.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To amend Section 29-6-3 of the Code of Alabama 1975, as amended by Act 2015-408 of the 2015 Regular Session, relating to the Legislative Council; to revise the voting requirement for actions of the council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Section 29-6-3 of the Code of Alabama 1975, as amended by Act 2015-408 of the 2015 Regular Session, is amended to read as follows:

§29-6-3.

"(a) Members of the Legislative Council, House Legislative Council, and Senate Legislative Council may participate in a meeting of the respective council by means of telephone conference, video conference, or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting may hear each other at the same time and members of the public may simultaneously listen to the meeting. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting for all purposes.

"(b) Any decision of the Legislative Council shall be by a majority vote of the council members from the Senate and a majority vote of the council members from the House of Representatives. A quorum of the Legislative Council is a majority of the members of the Legislative Council who are members of the Senate and a majority of the members of the Legislative Council who are members of the House of Representatives. Any decision of the Legislative Council shall be by a majority of those voting, a quorum being present.

"(c) All decisions of the Legislative Council, the House Legislative Council, or the Senate Legislative Council, except those involving hiring, discipline, or termination of employees, shall be reduced to writing and shall be published on the website of the Legislature.

"(d) The Legislative Council, House Legislative Council, and Senate Legislative Council shall be subject to the Alabama Open Meetings Act, Chapter 25A (commencing with Section 36-25A-1), Title 36, except that a meeting may be called with the same notice requirements as a meeting of a committee of the House or Senate under the rules of the House or Senate.

"(e) The Legislative Council, House Legislative Council, and Senate Legislative Council may make use of the employees of the Legislative Department, including employees of the respective houses, as needed in carrying out their respective functions.

"(f) The Legislative Council shall conduct an orientation program for its members upon its formation and at the start of each quadrennium thereafter. The orientation shall cover all of the duties and responsibilities of membership on the council. The Legislative Council shall also provide an orientation to any member who serves on the council due to election or appointment within 60 days of the person joining the council. The Legislative Council shall utilize the Legislative Reference Service, Legislative Fiscal Office, and Alabama Law Institute to prepare materials for use at this orientation."

Section 2. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Legislature

Legislative Council

Joint Committees

Administrative Law and Procedure

Code Amended