Alabama Legislature - Legislative Organization and Process

Legislative Organization and Process

The Alabama Legislature convenes in regular annual sessions on the first Tuesday in February, except during the first year of the four-year term, when the session begins on the first Tuesday in March. In the last year of a four-year term, the legislative session begins on the second Tuesday in January. The length of the regular session is limited to 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days. There are usually two meeting or "legislative" days per week, with other days devoted to committee meetings.

The Governor of Alabama can call, by proclamation, special sessions of the Alabama Legislature. The Governor must list the subjects on which legislation will be debated upon. These sessions are limited to 12 legislative days within a 30 calendar day span. In a regular session, bills may be enacted on any subject. In a special session, legislation must be enacted only on those subjects which the Governor announces on their proclamation or "call." Anything not in the "call" requires a two-thirds vote of each house to be enacted.

The Alabama Legislature has the power to override a veto with a simple majority vote in both houses. The Legislature also has the constitutional power to override line item vetos by a simple majority. This has led to contention in recent years between the Governor's Office and the Legislature.