ARTICLE IV. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

SEC. 44 COMPOSITION OF LEGISLATURE.

The legislative power of this state shall be vested in a legislature, which shall consist of a senate and a house of representatives.

SEC. 45 STYLE OF LAWS;  DIVISION OF LAWS;  LAWS RESTRICTED TO ONE SUBJECT;  AMENDMENT OR REVIVAL OF LAWS BY TITLE ONLY.

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 one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title, except general appropriation bills, general revenue bills, and bills adopting a code, digest, or revision of statutes;  and no law shall be revived, amended, or the provisions thereof extended or conferred, by reference to its title only;  but so much thereof as is revived, amended, extended, or conferred, shall be re-enacted and published at length.

SEC. 46 ELECTION AND TERMS OF OFFICE OF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES;  VACANCIES IN OFFICE.

(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 representatives shall commence on the day after the general election at which they are elected, and expire on the day after the general election held in the fourth year after their election, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution.  At the general election in the year nineteen hundred and two all the representatives, together with the senators for the even numbered districts and for the thirty-fifth district, shall be elected.  The terms of those senators who represent the odd numbered districts under the law in force prior to the ratification of this Constitution, are hereby extended until the day after the general election in the year nineteen hundred and six;  and until the expiration of his or her term as hereinbefore extended, each such senator shall represent the district established by this Constitution, bearing the number corresponding with that for which he or she was elected.  In the year nineteen hundred and six, and in every fourth year thereafter, all the senators and representatives shall be elected.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), when a vacancy occurs in either house of the Legislature, the Governor shall issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.  However, if the Secretary of State determines that a legally qualified candidate for election to the vacancy is unopposed when the last date for filing certificates of nomination has passed, the election shall not be held.  The Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of election to the candidate, the same as if an election had been held, and the certificate shall be accepted by the house in which the vacancy occurred as evidence of the unopposed candidate’s right to fill the position created by the vacancy.  In the event an election is held, all the costs and expenses incurred thereby shall be paid out of any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

(c) When a vacancy occurs in either house of the Legislature on or after October 1 of the third year of a quadrennium, the seat shall remain vacant until a successor is elected at the next succeeding general election.

SEC. 46.01CONTINUITY OF LEGISLATURE IN EVENT OF ENEMY ATTACK.

The legislature may provide for the continuity of the legislature of the state of Alabama and the representation therein of each of the political subdivisions of the state in the event of an attack by an enemy of the United States, by providing for the selection of emergency interim legislators who shall be designated for temporary succession to the powers and duties but not the office of a legislator in case of such emergency.  Such emergency interim legislator may serve only when the legislator in whose stead he is authorized to serve has died or is unable temporarily for physical, mental or legal reasons to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of his office, and until such time as the elected legislator is able to resume the duties of his office, or in case of a vacancy in such office a successor has been elected in accordance with section 46 of this Constitution.

SEC. 47 QUALIFICATIONS OF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES.

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 before their election, if such county or district shall have been so long established;  but if not, then of the county or district from which the same shall have been taken;  and they shall reside in their respective counties or districts during their terms of office.

SEC. 48 TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS OF LEGISLATURE;  MAXIMUM LENGTH OF SESSIONS.

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 longer than sixty days at the first session held under the Constitution, nor longer than fifty days at any subsequent session.  If at any time it should from any cause become impossible or dangerous for the legislature to meet or remain at the capitol or for the senate to meet or remain in the senate chamber, or for the representatives to meet or remain in the hall of the house of representatives, the governor may convene the legislature, or remove it after it has convened, to some other place, or may designate some other place for the sitting of the respective houses, or either of them, as necessity may require.

SEC. 48.01 TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS OF LEGISLATURE;  BIENNIAL SESSIONS;  ORGANIZATIONAL SESSIONS;  ELECTION OF PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF SENATE AND SPEAKER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES;  MAXIMUM LENGTH OF SESSIONS;  COMPENSATION AND TRAVEL ALLOWANCES OF MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE.

 (a) All sessions of the legislature shall be held at the capitol in the senate chamber and in the hall of the house of representatives, unless at any time it should from any cause become impossible or dangerous for the legislature to meet or remain at the capitol, or for the senate to meet or remain in the senate chamber, or for the representatives to meet or remain in the hall of the house of representatives, in which case the governor may convene the legislature, or remove it after it has convened, to some other place, or may designate some other place for the sitting of the respective houses, or either of them, as necessity may require.  The legislature shall convene on the second Tuesday in January next succeeding their election and shall remain in session for not longer than ten consecutive calendar days.  No business can be transacted at such sessions except the organization of the legislature, the election of officers, the appointment of standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives for the ensuing four years, which election and appointment may, however, also be made at such other times as may be necessary, the opening and publication of the returns and the ascertainment and declaration of the results of the election for governor, lieutenant-governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries, the election of such officers in the event of a tie vote, the determination of contested elections for such offices, the judging of the election returns and qualification of the members of the legislature, and the inauguration of the governor and the other elected state officers whose terms of office are concurrent with that of the governor.  At the beginning of each such organization session, and at such other times as may be necessary, the senate shall elect one of its members president pro tempore thereof, to preside over its deliberations in the absence of the lieutenant-governor, and the house of representatives shall elect one of its members as speaker, to preside over its deliberations.  The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each hold his respective office until his successor has been elected and qualified.  The provisions of this Constitution in conflict herewith are hereby modified to conform to the provisions of this amendment.  The provisions of this amendment shall become effective at the beginning of the term of the members of the legislature elected at the general election in 1946.

(b) Beginning in the year 1976 regular sessions of the legislature shall be held annually on the first Tuesday in May, or on such other day as may be prescribed by law, and shall be limited to 30 legislative days and 105 calendar days.  Special sessions of the legislature convened in the manner provided by this Constitution shall be limited to 12 legislative days and 30 calendar days.

SEC. 48.02 ALABAMA STATE HOUSE.

In the event the legislature determines it to be necessary or desirable that the Capitol be repaired, renovated, restored, constructed or reconstructed, the legislature, by resolution, shall designate and provide a suitable place for the meeting of the legislature and the transacting of business of the legislative department.  Such place shall be designated and known as the Alabama State House.

SEC. 49 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE.

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 of this amendment to remove the power of determining legislative compensation or expenses from the hands of the Legislature itself, to validate the basis upon which legislative compensation and expenses are established in an objective manner based on measurable standards, and to allow the citizens of Alabama to vote on this issue.  It is the will of the Legislature to resolve the issue of legislative compensation and expenses once and for all by providing for compensation and expenses for members of the Legislature and the President of the Senate and by providing for compensation to be paid at the same rate as the median household income in Alabama and expenses in the same amounts and manner as expenses are allowed under law for state employees generally.

(b) All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this amendment are repealed, including, but not limited to:  Those portions of Amendments 39, 57, and 339 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, relating to the compensation and expenses of members of the Legislature;  Act 87–209, Act 90–490, Act 91–95, Act 91–108, and Act 2007–75;  and Section 29–1–8, Code of Alabama 1975.

Section 2.

 The annual basic compensation for each member of the Legislature and the President of the Senate shall be the median annual household income in Alabama, as ascertained and adjusted each year by the State Personnel Board to take effect on the first day of January of each year.

Section 3.

 (a) No member of the Legislature or the President of the Senate may receive reimbursement for any expenses except as provided in this section.

(b) Subject to approval by the President of the Senate or by the Speaker of the House for the respective members of their Houses, and except as otherwise provided in subsection (d), a member of the Legislature may be reimbursed for any of the following:

(1) Expenses incurred for travel on official business in the same amounts or at the same rates as for state employees traveling in the service of the state under state law, rules, and policies, provided that, for a member of the Legislature, the travel is to a place outside his or her district.

(2) Actual expenses other than travel expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

(3) Expenses authorized pursuant to Act 1196 of the 1971 Regular Session for the presiding officer of each House.

(c) Reimbursement for expenses may only be made under subdivision (1) and (2) of subsection (b) after a determination of the presiding officer of the member’s House that the travel or expense is in the service of the state and on submission of a signed voucher submitted in the same manner as a request for reimbursement of expenses by a state employee.

(d) Except for the expenses of transportation, no member of the Legislature who resides less than 50 miles from the seat of government may be reimbursed for any travel expenses for travel between his or her place of residence and the seat of government.

(e) In making the determination required by subsection (c), the presiding officer of either House may not determine a particular expense incurred by any member of the Legislature was not in the service of the state on any basis that discriminates between members of the Legislature.

(f) Reimbursement for expenses authorized pursuant to this section shall be paid in a timely manner that is consistent with expense reimbursement regulations jointly promulgated by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House pursuant to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act.  Such regulations shall, to the extent possible, mirror similar regulations applicable to state employees.  The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House may not discriminate between members of the Legislature regarding the timely reimbursement of authorized expenses.

(g) The State Personnel Board may promulgate such rules as it deems necessary to enforce its responsibilities under this amendment and, in conjunction with the Comptroller, shall provide an annual report on compensation and reimbursement of expenses to members of the Legislature.

Section 4.

 (a) The compensation and reimbursement for expenses provided in Sections 2 and 3 shall constitute the total amounts payable to the presiding officers and members of the Legislature, beginning with the terms commencing immediately after the 2014 General Election.

(b) The Legislature may not increase, supplement, or otherwise enlarge the compensation or reimbursement for expenses payable to its members by this amendment.

SEC. 50 NUMBER OF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES;  APPORTIONMENT OF LEGISLATORS.

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 above number of representatives, each new county hereafter created shall be entitled to one representative.

SEC. 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.

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 beginning of each regular session, and at such other times as may be necessary, shall elect one of its members as speaker;  and the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall hold their offices respectively, until their successors are elected and qualified.  In case of the temporary disability of either of said presiding officers, the house to which he belongs may elect one of its members to preside over that house and to perform all the duties of such officer during the continuance of his disability;  and such temporary officer, while performing duty as such, shall receive the same compensation to which the permanent officer is entitled by law, and no other.  Each house shall choose its own officers and shall judge of the election, returns, and qualifications of its members.

SEC. 52 QUORUM IN EACH HOUSE.

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.

SEC. 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.

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 solicitation;  and with the concurrence of two-thirds of the house, to expel a member, but not a second time for the same offense;  and the two houses shall have all the powers necessary for the legislature of a free state.

SEC. 54 EXPULSION FOR CORRUPTION BAR TO FURTHER SERVICE IN LEGISLATURE;  PUNISHMENT FOR CONTEMPT OR DISORDERLY BEHAVIOR NOT BAR TO INDICTMENT FOR SAME OFFENSE.

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.

SEC. 55 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS OF EACH HOUSE.

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 one-tenth of the members present, be entered on the journal.  Any member of either house shall have liberty to dissent from or protest against any act or resolution which he may think injurious to the public, or to an individual, and have the reason for his dissent entered on the journal.

SEC. 56 IMMUNITY OF LEGISLATORS.

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 any speech or debate in either house shall not be questioned in any other place.

SEC. 57 DOORS OF EACH HOUSE TO BE OPEN;  EXCEPTIONS;  RESTRICTIONS ON ADMITTANCE TO FLOOR.

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 employees of the two houses, the governor and his secretary, representatives of the press, and other persons to whom either house, by unanimous vote, may extend the privileges of its floor.

SEC. 58 ADJOURNMENT OR CHANGE OF PLACE OF SITTING BY ONE HOUSE WITHOUT CONSENT OF OTHER HOUSE.

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.

SEC. 59 APPOINTMENT OF LEGISLATORS TO OTHER OFFICES DURING TERMS FOR WHICH ELECTED.

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 filled by election by the people.

SEC. 60 CONVICTION OF CERTAIN CRIMES BAR TO ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGISLATURE AND TO HOLDING STATE OFFICE OF TRUST OR PROFIT.

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.

SEC. 61 LAWS TO BE PASSED BY BILLS;  RESTRICTIONS ON AMENDMENTS TO BILLS.

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.

SEC. 62 REFERRAL OF BILLS TO STANDING COMMITTEES.

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.

SEC. 63 NUMBER OF READINGS FOR BILLS;  RECORDATION OF VOTES ON BILLS;  MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED FOR PASSAGE OF BILLS.

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 majority of each house be recorded thereon as voting in its favor, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution.

SEC. 64 PROCEDURE FOR AMENDMENT OF BILLS;  ADOPTION OF REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OF CONFERENCE.

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 amendment to bills by one house shall be concurred in by the other, unless a vote be taken by yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for and against the same be recorded at length on the journal;  and no report of a committee of conference shall be adopted in either house, except upon a vote taken by yeas and nays, and entered on the journal, as herein provided for the adoption of amendments.

SEC. 65 LOTTERIES AND GIFT ENTERPRISES PROHIBITED.

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 heretofore passed by the legislature of this state, authorizing a lottery or lotteries, and all acts amendatory thereof, or supplemental thereto, are hereby avoided.

SEC. 66 SIGNATURE OF BILLS BY PRESIDING OFFICER OF EACH HOUSE;  READING OF BILLS AT LENGTH MAY BE DISPENSED WITH.

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 shall be entered upon the journal;  but the reading at length may be dispensed with by a two-thirds vote of a quorum present, which fact shall also be entered on the journal.

SEC. 67 NUMBER, DUTIES AND COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF EACH HOUSE.

The legislature shall prescribe by law the number, duties, and compensation of the officers and employees 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 employee elected or appointed in pursuance of law.

SEC. 68 EXTRA COMPENSATION NOT TO BE GRANTED PUBLIC OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, CONTRACTOR, ETC., AFTER SERVICE RENDERED OR CONTRACT MADE;  INCREASE OR DECREASE OF COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS DURING TERM OF OFFICE.

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 contractor, after service shall have been rendered or contract made, nor to increase or decrease the fees and compensation of such officers during their terms of office;  nor shall any officer of the state bind the state to the payment of any sum of money but by authority of law;  provided this section shall not apply to allowances made by commissioners’ courts or boards of revenue to county officers for ex officio services, nor prevent the legislature from increasing or diminishing at any time the allowance to sheriffs or other officers for feeding, transferring, or guarding prisoners.

SEC. 68.01 INCREASING OR DECREASING SALARIES, ETC., OF STATE AND COUNTY OFFICERS.

Any provisions of this Constitution or amendments thereto to the contrary notwithstanding, neither the legislature, nor any county of the state shall, by the imposition of new, different, and additional duties or otherwise, increase, or authorize the increase of, the salary, fees or other compensation of any officer of the state or of any county of the state, who is elected or appointed for a fixed term, during the term for which he is elected or appointed, regardless of whether such officer may be removed at the pleasure of the authority electing or appointing him or only upon impeachment;  nor shall the legislature or any county of the state in any manner or by any means decrease, or authorize the decrease of, the salary, fees or other compensation of any such officer, during the term for which he is elected or appointed;  nor shall the legislature or any county of the state increase or decrease, or authorize the increase or decrease of, the salary, fees or other compensation of any person filling an unexpired term in any such office during the remainder of such term, either before or after the appointment or election of such person to fill the unexpired term.  As to officers who are members of any court, board, commission, or similar body whose terms do not run concurrently, any increase or decrease in the salary, fees, or other compensation of the members of any such court, board, commission, or similar body shall become effective as to all such members thereof immediately after the expiration of the term or terms of office of the member or members whose term or terms first expire.

SEC. 69 STATIONERY, PRINTING, FUEL, ETC., TO BE FURNISHED BY LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER;  CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

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 rooms used for the meeting of the legislature and its committees, shall be performed under contract, to be given to the lowest responsible bidder below a maximum price, and under such regulations as shall be prescribed by law;  no member or officer of any department of the government shall be in any way interested in such contract, and all such contracts shall be subject to the approval of the governor, auditor, and treasurer.

SEC. 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.

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 secretary of state shall have printed for the use of the legislature a sufficient number of copies of the bill so prepared, which the governor shall transmit to the house of representatives as soon as organized, to be used or dealt with as that house may elect.  The senate may propose amendments to revenue bills.  No revenue bill shall be passed during the last five days of the session.

SEC. 71 RESTRICTIONS ON GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.

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 increased in such bill, nor shall any appropriation be made therein for any officer or employe unless his employment and the amount of his salary have already been provided for by law.  All other appropriations shall be made by separate bills, each embracing but one subject.

SEC. 71.01 PARAMOUNT DUTY OF LEGISLATURE TO MAKE BASIC APPROPRIATIONS AT REGULAR SESSIONS.

 (A) The following words and phrases, whenever used in this amendment, shall have the following respective meanings:

“Basic Appropriations” means, with respect to any regular session of the legislature, such appropriations as the legislature may deem appropriate for the expenditures by the state during the ensuing budget period for the ordinary expenses of the executive, legislative and judicial departments of the state, for payment of the public debt, and for education (excluding, however, any item within the scope of the foregoing that is at the time provided for by a continuing appropriation or otherwise).

“Budget Period” means a fiscal year of the state or such period other than [a] fiscal year as may hereafter be fixed by law as the period with respect to which state budgets are prepared and state appropriations are made.

(B) On or before the second legislative day of each regular session of the legislature, beginning with the first regular session after January 1, 1983, the governor shall transmit to the legislature for its consideration a proposed budget for the then next ensuing budget period.

(C) The duty of the legislature at any regular session to make the basic appropriations for any budget period that will commence before the first day of any succeeding regular session shall be paramount;  and, accordingly, beginning with the first regular session held after January 1, 1983, no bill (other than a bill making any of the basic appropriations) shall be signed by either the presiding officer of the house or senate and transmitted to the other house until bills making the basic appropriations for the then ensuing budget period shall have been signed by the presiding officer of each house of the legislature in accordance with Section 66 of this Constitution and presented to the governor in accordance with Section 125 of this Constitution;  provided, that this paragraph (C) shall not affect the adoption of resolutions or the conduct of any other legislative functions that do not require a third reading;  and provided further, that following adoption, by vote of either house of not less than three-fifths of a quorum present, of a resolution declaring that the provisions of this paragraph (C) shall not be applicable in that house to a particular bill, which shall be specified in said resolution by number and title, the bill so specified may proceed to final passage therein.

(D) Upon the signing and presentation to the governor in accordance with the said Sections 66 and 125 of bills making the basic appropriations, the provisions of the foregoing paragraph (C) prohibiting the final passage of bills in the house and senate (other than bills making any part of the basic appropriations) shall cease to be effective and shall not be revived or become again effective as a result of (i) the subsequent legislative history of any bill so signed and presented, including any veto, return with executive amendment, or any other action, or failure to act, by either the governor or the legislature under the provisions of the said Section 125;  or (ii) a determination, by either judicial decree or opinion of the justices of the Alabama Supreme Court, that any bill so signed and presented is wholly or in part invalid.

(E) The legislature may, by statute or rule, make such further provisions for the timely passage of bills making the basic appropriations as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

(F) Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring the legislature to make any appropriation not otherwise required by this Constitution to be made.

(G) Notwithstanding any provision of this amendment, any resolution authorizing the consideration of a bill proposing a local law adopted before November 8, 2016, that conformed to the rules of either body of the Legislature at the time it was adopted, is ratified, approved, validated, and confirmed and the application of any such resolution is effective from the date of original adoption.

SEC. 72 PAYMENT OF MONEY OUT OF STATE TREASURY;  PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.

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 may be by law directed.

SEC. 73 APPROPRIATIONS TO CHARITABLE OR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS NOT UNDER ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF STATE.

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 all the members elected to each house.

SEC. 74 RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENT OF TRUST FUNDS BY EXECUTORS, TRUSTEES, ETC., IN PRIVATE CORPORATIONS.

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, unless otherwise provided by the legislature, any of said mentioned trust funds may be invested in corporation or institutions, investments in which are guaranteed as to principal by the United States government or insured as to principal by any instrumentality or agency thereof, provided such investments shall not exceed the amount insured by any such instrumentality or agency.

SEC. 75 CHANGE OF VENUE IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES.

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.

SEC. 76 RESTRICTIONS ON LEGISLATION AT SPECIAL SESSIONS.

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 days.

SEC. 77 STATE OFFICE FOR INSPECTION OR MEASURING OF MERCHANDISE, COMMODITIES, ETC., PROHIBITED.

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.

SEC. 78 LEGISLATION TO CHANGE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF STATE.

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 specify the proposed new location.

SEC. 79 BRIBERY — SOLICITATION, ACCEPTANCE, ETC., OF BRIBES BY LEGISLATORS.

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, or of personal advantage or promise thereof, for his vote or official influence, or for withholding the same;  or with an understanding, expressed or implied, that his vote or official action shall be in any way influenced thereby;  or who shall solicit or demand any such money or other advantage, matter, or thing aforesaid, for another as the consideration for his vote, or influence, or for withholding the same;  or shall give or withhold his vote or influence in consideration of the payment or promise of such money, advantage, matter, or thing to another, shall be guilty of bribery within the meaning of this Constitution;  and shall incur the disabilities and penalties provided thereby for such offense, and such additional punishment as is or shall be provided by law.

SEC. 80 BRIBERY — OFFER, GIFT, ETC., OF MONEY, ETC., TO EXECUTIVE OR JUDICIAL OFFICERS OR MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE TO INFLUENCE OFFICIAL ACTS.

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 official duties, shall be guilty of bribery, and be punished in such manner as may be provided by law.

SEC. 81 OFFENSE OF CORRUPT SOLICITATION TO BE DEFINED BY LAW.

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 shall be punished by fine and imprisonment in the penitentiary;  and the legislature shall provide for the trial and punishment of the offenses enumerated in the two preceding sections, and shall require the judges to give the same specially in charge to the grand juries in all the counties of this state.

SEC. 82 DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL OR PRIVATE INTEREST IN BILLS, ETC., BY LEGISLATORS.

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.

SEC. 83 VOTING IN ELECTIONS BY LEGISLATURE.

In all elections by the legislature the members shall vote viva voce, and the votes shall be entered on the journal.

SEC. 84 ADOPTION OF LAWS TO PROVIDE FOR ARBITRATION BETWEEN PARTIES.

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.

SEC. 85 PERIODIC REVISION AND PROMULGATION OF LAWS.

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, both civil and criminal.

SEC. 86 SUPPRESSION OF DUELING.

The legislature shall pass such penal laws as it may deem expedient to suppress the evil practice of dueling.

SEC. 87 DEDUCTIONS FROM SALARIES OR COMPENSATION OF PUBLIC OFFICERS FOR NEGLECT OF DUTY.

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.

SEC. 88 COUNTIES TO PROVIDE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE POOR.

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.

SEC. 89 MUNICIPALITIES NOT TO PASS LAWS IN CONFLICT WITH GENERAL LAWS OF STATE.

The legislature shall not have power to authorize any municipal corporation to pass any laws inconsistent with the general laws of this state.

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 rights and privileges which may be required by the terms of acquisition not inconsistent with this Constitution.  Should the state purchase such foreign territory, the legislature, with the approval of the governor, shall be authorized to expend any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, and, if necessary, to provide also for the issuance of state bonds, to pay for the purchase of such foreign territory.

SEC. 91 EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION OF STATE, COUNTY, MUNICIPAL, CEMETERY AND CERTAIN RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE PROPERTY.

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 from such cities or towns to the extent of five acres, with the buildings thereon, when same are used exclusively for religious worship, for schools, or for purposes purely charitable.

SEC. 92 RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ASCERTAIN VALUE OF PROPERTY EXEMPTED FROM SALE UNDER LEGAL PROCESS.

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.

SEC. 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.

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 its credit to any individual, association, or corporation, except as may be expressly authorized by the Constitution of Alabama, or amendments thereto.  When authorized by laws passed by the legislature the state may appropriate funds to be applied to the construction, repair, and maintenance of public roads, highways and bridges in the state.  When authorized by appropriate laws passed by the legislature the state may at a cost not exceeding ten million dollars engage in the work of internal improvement, or promoting, developing, constructing, maintaining, and operating all harbors and seaports within the state or its jurisdiction, provided, that such work or improvement shall always be and remain under the management and control of the state, through its state harbor commission, or other governing agency.  When authorized by laws passed by the legislature the state may engage in the construction, improvement, repairs and maintenance and operation of public airports, air landing fields and other air navigation facilities in the state of Alabama and may appropriate money or otherwise provide funds for this purpose.  The adoption of this amendment shall not affect in any manner any other amendment to the Constitution of Alabama which may be adopted pursuant to any act or resolution of this session of legislature.

SEC. 93.01 PROMOTION OF CATFISH INDUSTRY.

The legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, improvement, marketing, use and sale of catfish.  The legislature may provide for the promotion of catfish and catfish products by research, education, advertising and other methods, and the legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby producers of catfish by referendum among such producers levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the purchase of catfish feed for the financing of any such promotional program or activity in cooperation with buyers, processors, dealers, distributors of catfish feed and handlers of catfish.  The legislature may make provisions for the nonpayment of assessments by catfish producers and shall make provisions for the refund of assessments to any purchaser of catfish feed who does not desire to participate in an assessment program.

The legislature shall provide for the collection, disbursement, distribution or expenditure of assessments or charges authorized hereunder and to provide penalties for failure to make collection and distribution of assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization for the promotion and betterment of catfish and catfish products to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among producers of catfish.  The legislature may provide the manner by which such referendum is held, including the procedure for application for approval to conduct the referendum, the appropriate action to be taken by the state board of agriculture and industries on such application, the requirements and eligibility of the association or organization which will conduct such referendum, the procedures for voting and eligibility to vote in such referendum, the details of the conduct of such referendum.  The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities as authorized herein by the department of agriculture and industries and the state board of agriculture and industries.  The legislature shall further provide a procedure whereby said association or organization is bonded, for the examination and auditing of said association or organization, and for reasonably necessary rules and regulations to be adopted by the state board of agriculture and industries to effectively carry out the intent and purposes herein enumerated.  Assessments, fees or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted under authority hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this constitution or any provision thereof.  Any uniformity requirements of this constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon catfish.

SEC. 93.02 PROMOTION OF CATTLE INDUSTRY.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, marketing, use, improvement and sale of cattle.  The legislature may provide for the promotion of cattle and the cattle industry by research, education, advertising and other methods, and the legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby owners of cattle may by referendum held among the owners of cattle in this state levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of cattle for the financing of any promotional program or activity in cooperation with processors, dealers and handlers of cattle.  The legislature shall make provisions for the nonpayment of assessments by cattle owners, and for the refund of assessments to any cattle owner dissatisfied with the assessment program.  The legislature shall provide for the collection and distribution of any such assessments or charges by dealers, handlers, processors and purchasers of cattle and provide penalties for failure to make collection and distribution of such assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization organized for the promotion and betterment of cattle and beef products to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among cattle owners.  The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities authorized herein by the department of agriculture and industries and the state board of agriculture and industries.  Assessments, fees or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted in pursuance hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this Constitution or any provision thereof.  Any uniformity requirements of this Constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon cattle and beef products.

SEC. 93.03 ERADICATION OR CONTROL OF THE BOLL WEEVIL IN COTTON.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the eradication or control of the boll weevil in cotton.  The legislature may provide for and is authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of this activity by prescribing a procedure whereby cotton growers may, by referendum held among such growers in this state, levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees and charges, based upon the amount of acreage of cotton planted.  The legislature is authorized to make provisions for non-payment of such assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the collection and distribution of assessments or charges authorized hereunder and to provide penalties for failure to pay said assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a non-profit organization which has been organized for the purpose of eradicating or controlling the boll weevil in cotton;  to administer and carry out said eradication or control program;  to also include conducting elections or referendums among cotton growers.

The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by the designated organization of any funds received, subject to the supervision and control of the activities authorized herein by the state department of agriculture and industries and the state board of agriculture and industries.  Assessments, fees, or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted under authority hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this Constitution or any provision thereof.  The legislature shall further provide a procedure for the examination and auditing of said organization and for reasonable rules and regulations to be adopted by the state board of agriculture and industries;  to effectively carry out the intent and purposes herein enumerated.  Any uniformity requirements of this Constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program to eradicate or control the boll weevil in cotton.

SEC. 93.04 PROMOTION OF GRAIN INDUSTRY.

The legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, improvement, marketing, use and sale of wheat and other feed grains as defined and authorized by the legislature.  The legislature may provide for the promotion of wheat and other feed grains and wheat and other feed grain products by research, education, advertising and other methods.  The legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby producers of wheat and other feed grains may by referendum among such producers levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of wheat and other feed grains for the financing of any such promotional program or activity in cooperation with buyers, processors, dealers, and handlers of wheat and other feed grains.  The legislature may make provisions for the non-payment of assessments by wheat and other feed grain producers, and shall make provisions for the refund of assessments to any wheat and other feed grain producer who does not desire to participate in an assessment program.  The legislature shall provide for the collection, disbursement, distribution or expenditure of assessments or charges authorized hereunder and to provide penalties for failure to make collection and distribution of assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization for the promotion and betterment of wheat and other feed grains and wheat and other feed grain products to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among producers of wheat and other feed grains.  The legislature may provide the manner by which such referendum is held, including the procedure for application for approval to conduct the referendum, the appropriate action to be taken by the state board of agriculture and industries on such application, the requirements and eligibility of the association or organization which will conduct such referendum, the procedures for voting and eligibility to vote in such referendum, the details of the conduct of such referendum.  The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities as authorized herein by the department of agriculture and industries and the state board of agriculture and industries.  The legislature shall further provide a procedure whereby said association or organization is bonded, for the examination and auditing of said association or organization, and for reasonably necessary rules and regulations to be adopted by the state board of agriculture and industries to effectively carry out the intent and purposes herein enumerated.  Assessments, fees or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted under authority hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of the Constitution or any provision thereof.  Any uniformity requirements of this Constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon wheat and other feed grains.

SEC. 93.05 INDEMNIFICATION PROGRAM FOR PEANUT FARMERS.

The legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for an indemnification program to peanut farmers for losses incurred as a result of Aspergillus flavus and freeze damage in peanuts.  The legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such indemnification program by prescribing a procedure whereby peanut growers may by referendum among such growers levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees or charges upon the sale of peanuts for the financing of any such indemnification program in cooperation with buyers, processors, dealers and handlers of peanuts;  provided, no assessment levied hereunder shall exceed five dollars per ton on any peanuts sold by peanut growers.  The legislature shall provide for the collection and distribution of any such assessments and provide penalties for fraud in the collection or distribution of such assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization organized for the promotion and betterment of peanut production to administer and carry out such indemnification program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among peanut growers and to cooperate with underwriters in executing a contract or contracts to cover claims for crop damage due to Aspergillus flavus or freeze damage.  Assessments, fees or other charges collected or disbursed as authorized by any legislative act adopted in pursuance hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this Constitution or any provision thereof.

SEC. 93.06 PROMOTION OF PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC., OF PEANUTS, MILK, AND COTTON.

The legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, improvement, marketing, use, and sale of peanuts, milk, and cotton.  The legislature may provide for the promotion of peanuts, milk, and cotton and peanut, milk, and cotton products by research, education, advertising, and other methods, and the legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby growers of peanuts, and producers of milk and cotton may by referendum among such growers and producers levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of peanuts, milk, and cotton for the financing of any such promotional program or activity in cooperation with buyers, processors, dealers, and handlers of peanuts, milk, and cotton.  The legislature may make provisions for the nonpayment of assessments by peanut growers and milk and cotton producers, and shall make provisions for the refund of assessments to any peanut growers and milk producers who do not desire to participate in an assessment program.  The legislature shall provide for the collection, disbursement, distribution, or expenditure of assessments or charges authorized hereunder and to provide penalties for failure to make collection and distribution of assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization for the promotion and betterment of peanuts, milk, and cotton and peanut, milk, and cotton products to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among growers of peanuts and producers of milk and cotton.  The legislature may provide the manner by which such referendum is held, including the procedure for application for approval to conduct the referendum, the appropriate action to be taken by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries on such application, the requirements and eligibility of the association or organization which will conduct such referendum, the procedures for voting and eligibility to vote in such referendum, the details of the conduct of such referendum.  The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement, and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities as authorized herein by the Department of Agriculture and Industries and the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.  The legislature shall further provide a procedure whereby the association or organization is bonded, for the examination and auditing of the association or organization, and for reasonably necessary rules and regulations to be adopted by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries to effectively carry out the intent and purposes herein enumerated.

The legislature shall provide, by enabling legislation, the definition of peanut growers and producers.

Assessments, fees or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted under authority hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this Constitution or any provision thereof.

Any uniformity requirements of this Constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon peanuts, milk, and cotton.

SEC. 93.07 PROMOTION OF POULTRY AND POULTRY PRODUCTS.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, marketing and use of poultry and poultry products.  The legislature may provide for the promotion of poultry and poultry products and the poultry industry by research, education, advertising and other methods, and the legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby producers, owners or growers of poultry may by referendum held among such producers, owners or growers of poultry in this state levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of poultry and poultry products for the financing of any such promotional program or activity in cooperation with processors, dealers, handlers and other buyers of poultry and poultry products.  Provided, no assessment levied hereunder shall exceed two and one-half cents (2  ¢) per hen or other domesticated fowl or any other classes of poultry sold by producers thereof.  The legislature is authorized to make provisions for nonpayment and for the refund of assessments levied upon owners, producers or growers of poultry to any such person who does not desire to participate in the promotional program.  The legislature shall provide for the collection and distribution of assessments or charges authorized hereunder and to provide penalties for failure to make such collection and distribution of assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization organized for the promotion and betterment of poultry and poultry products in Alabama to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include conducting elections or referendum among producers, owners or growers of poultry.  The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities authorized herein by the department of agriculture and industries and the state board of agriculture and industries.  Assessments, fees or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted under authority hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this Constitution or any provision thereof.  Any uniformity requirements of this Constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon poultry and poultry products.

SEC. 93.08 PROMOTION OF SOYBEAN INDUSTRY.

The legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, improvement, marketing, use and sale of soybeans.  The legislature may provide for the promotion of soybeans and soybean products by research, education, advertising and other methods, and the legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby producers of soybeans may by referendum among such producers levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of soybeans for the financing of any such promotional program or activity in cooperation with buyers, processors, dealers, and handlers of soybeans.  The legislature may make provisions for the nonpayment of assessments by soybean producers, and shall make provisions for the refund of assessments to any soybean producer who does not desire to participate in an assessment program.  The legislature shall provide for the collection, disbursement, distribution or expenditure of assessments or charges authorized hereunder and to provide penalties for failure to make collection and distribution of assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization for the promotion and betterment of soybeans and soybean products to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among producers of soybeans.  The legislature may provide the manner by which such referendum is held, including the procedure for application for approval to conduct the referendum, the appropriate action to be taken by the state board of agriculture and industries on such application, the requirements and eligibility of the association or organization which will conduct such referendum, the procedures for voting and eligibility to vote in such referendum, the details of the conduct of such referendum.  The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities as authorized herein by the department of agriculture and industries and the state board of agriculture and industries.  The legislature shall further provide a procedure whereby said association or organization is bonded, for the examination and auditing of said association or organization, and for reasonably necessary rules and regulations to be adopted by the state board of agriculture and industries to effectively carry out the intent and purposes herein enumerated.  Assessments, fees or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted under authority hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this Constitution or any provision thereof.  Any uniformity requirements of this Constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon soybeans.

SEC. 93.09 PROMOTION OF PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC., OF SWINE AND SWINE PRODUCTS.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the legislature may hereafter, by general law, provide for the promotion of, the production, research, distribution, marketing, use, improvement and sale of swine and swine products.  The legislature may provide for the promotion of swine and the swine industry by research, education, advertising and other methods, and the legislature is further authorized to provide means and methods for the financing of any such promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby producers of swine may by referendum held among the swine producers in this state levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of swine for the financing of any promotional program or activity in cooperation with processors, dealers and handlers, of swine and swine products.  The legislature may make provisions for the nonpayment of assessments by swine producers and shall make provisions for the refund of assessments to any swine producer dissatisfied with the assessment program.  The legislature shall provide for the collection and distribution of any such assessments or charges by dealers, handlers, processors and purchasers of swine and swine products and provide penalties for failure to make collection and distribution of such assessments.  The legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization organized for the promotion and betterment of swine and swine products to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among swine producers.  The legislature may provide the manner by which such referendum is held, including the procedure for application for approval to conduct the referendum, the appropriate action to be taken by the state board of agriculture and industries on such application, the requirements and eligibility of the association or organization which will conduct such referendum, the procedures for voting and eligibility to vote in such referendum and the details of the conduct of such referendum.  The legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities as authorized herein by the department of agriculture and industries and the state board of agriculture and industries.  The legislature shall further provide a procedure whereby said association or organization is bonded, for the examination and auditing of said association or organization, and for reasonably necessary rules and regulations to be adopted by the state board of agriculture and industries to effectively carry out the intent and purposes herein enumerated.  Assessments, fees or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted in pursuance hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this Constitution or any provision thereof.  Any uniformity requirements of this Constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon swine and swine products.

SEC. 93.1 ORGANIZATION AND PROMOTION OF SHEEP AND GOAT INDUSTRY.

The Legislature, by general law, may provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, improvement, marketing, use, and sale of sheep or goats.  The Legislature may provide for the promotion of sheep and goats and their products by research, education, advertising, and other methods.  The Legislature may provide means and methods for the financing of any promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby producers of sheep and goats may levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of sheep and goats for the financing of any promotional program or activity in cooperation with buyers, processors, dealers, distributors, and handlers of sheep and goats.  The Legislature may make provisions for the nonpayment of assessments by sheep and goat producers and shall make provisions for the refund of assessments to any producer of sheep or goats who does not desire to participate in an assessment program.  The Legislature shall provide for the collection, disbursement, distribution, or expenditure of assessments or charges authorized by this amendment and provide penalties for failure to make the collection and distribution of assessments.  The Legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization for the promotion and betterment of sheep and goats and their products to administer and carry out any promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among producers of sheep and goats.  The Legislature may provide the manner by which a referendum is held, including the procedure for application for approval to conduct the referendum, the appropriate action to be taken by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries on an application, the requirements and eligibility of the association or organization which will conduct the referendum, the procedures for voting and eligibility to vote in the referendum, and the details of the conduct of the referendum.  The Legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement, and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities as authorized by the Department of Agriculture and Industries and the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.  The Legislature shall further provide a procedure for the association or organization to be bonded, for the examination and auditing of the association or organization, and for reasonably necessary rules and regulations to be adopted by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries to effectively carry out the intent and purposes of this amendment.   Assessments, fees, or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted under authority of this amendment are not to be considered a tax within the meaning of this constitution or any other provisions.  Any uniformity requirements of this constitution shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon the sheep and goat industry.

SEC. 93.11 DRAINAGE DISTRICTS.

Section 1

 The legislature may form or provide for the formation of drainage districts for establishing and maintaining drainage systems;  and provide for the assessment of the whole or part of the cost of such improvements against the lands and property in such district to the extent of the increased value thereof by reason of special benefits derived from such improvements and may provide for the issuance of bonds for such districts with or without an election.

Section 2

 This amendment shall be retroactive and retrospective and shall operate to ratify, confirm and validate the act of the legislature of Alabama, which act provided for the drainage of farm, wet, swamp and overflow lands in the state of Alabama and authorized the organization of drainage districts, conferred the right of eminent domain to the extent necessary to carry out the purpose of said act and provided for raising of revenues by bond issue or otherwise to pay the cost and expense of installing and maintaining drainage systems so as to promote the public health and general welfare and, which act was approved March 4, 1915;  and this amendment shall operate to confirm and validate all corporate organizations under authority of such law, all procedure had, all acts done, all bonds issued, contracts entered into and assessments made by such corporations under authority of such law.

SEC. 93.12 PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND HEALTH FACILITIES.

The state, notwithstanding section 93 of the Constitution as amended and section 94 of the Constitution, may acquire, build, establish, own, operate and maintain hospitals, health centers, sanatoria and other health facilities.  The legislature for such purposes may appropriate public funds and may authorize counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions to appropriate their funds, and may designate or create an agency or agencies to accept and administer funds appropriated or donated for such purposes by the United States government to the state upon such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the United States government.

SEC. 93.13 DEVELOPMENT OF IRRIGATION DISTRICTS.

The legislature may by general, special or local laws authorize the formation of a body corporate for the development of one or more irrigation districts for the purposes of providing irrigation and water conservation in the state of Alabama, and may authorize the counties and municipalities lying within the boundaries of such district or districts to contribute public funds to such body corporate, and may authorize such body corporate to enter into contract with the government of the United States or any agency thereof, and with other states or political subdivisions thereof, and with other bodies corporate organized within this or other states for the development of one or more irrigation districts in the state of Alabama, and may authorize such body corporate to issue revenue bonds payable solely out of revenues accruing to such body corporate, and may authorize such body corporate to do and perform all other such acts necessary and proper for the full development of said Alabama irrigation district or districts provided, however, nothing herein shall authorize any such public corporation to engage in or finance, directly or indirectly, the production, transmission or sale of electric power.

SEC. 93.14 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION.

The legislature by general law may provide for the creation and organization of a commission charged with the responsibility of improving soil and water conservation and forestry practices within the state, and in order to further the carrying out of that responsibility the legislature may appropriate moneys to such commission for the purpose of meeting the expenses of the commission and to allow the commission to share, through a cost-sharing award or grant program, the costs of soil conservation projects and practices, water quality improvements, reforestation projects and improved forestry practices on or with respect to agricultural or timber lands in the state owned or operated by individuals or other types of persons specified by the legislature, sections 93 and 94 of this Constitution, as amended, to the contrary notwithstanding.  In any law enacted by the legislature respecting soil and water conservation cost-sharing grants as contemplated hereby, the legislature shall provide for the powers of the commission and for the receipt, withdrawal, disbursement and expenditure by such commission of any appropriated moneys and other funds received by the commission to fund its expenses and cost-sharing programs.  The legislature shall provide that such commission shall consist of such citizens of the state [as] may be designated by law by the legislature, provided that [the] legislature may designate as ex officio members of the commission persons who are holders of other public offices or officers of such private organizations and associations as the legislature may designate that are interested in agricultural or timber property and soil and water conservation practices related thereto.  Moneys appropriated to such commission for cost-sharing grants to be made pursuant to criteria provided by the legislature or promulgated by the commission pursuant to legislative delegation of the power so to do, shall be invested by the commission at its direction, or retained in the state treasury as the commission shall determine, until expended at the direction of the commission, provided that none of such appropriated moneys shall revert to the fund or funds from which they were appropriated in the event such moneys remain undisbursed or unencumbered on the last day of the fiscal year of the state in which they were appropriated to the commission, but rather shall remain available for disbursement by the commission in its programs in subsequent fiscal years.

SEC. 93.15 DEVELOPMENT OF BEAR CREEK WATERSHED AREA.

The legislature may by general, special, private or local laws authorize the formation in any manner of a public corporation for the development of Bear Creek, its tributaries and watershed, for the purposes of navigation, water conservation and supply, flood control, irrigation, industrial development, public recreation, and related purposes, and may authorize the counties of Marion, Colbert, Franklin and Winston and all municipalities lying within Marion, Colbert, Franklin and Winston counties to donate or contribute public funds to such public corporation and may authorize such public corporation to enter into contracts with the United States of America or any agency thereof, and with the several states or political subdivisions thereof, and with other public or private corporations organized within any of the several states, for the development of the Bear Creek watershed, and may authorize such public corporation to acquire by purchase, construction, lease, gift, condemnation, or otherwise property of any kind, real, personal or mixed, to mortgage or sell its property and to issue revenue bonds and other revenue securities payable solely out of revenues accruing to such public corporation, and may exempt such public corporation from all taxation in the state of Alabama, and may grant such public corporation all other powers and privileges which may be necessary and proper for the full development of said Bear Creek watershed.  The provisions of sections 106, 222 and 225 of the Constitution of Alabama shall not apply to any public corporation which may be organized pursuant to enabling legislation herein authorized or to any revenue bonds and other revenue securities at any time issued by such public corporation.  Such public corporation shall be deemed a political subdivision of the state of Alabama.  Nothing herein shall authorize any such public corporation to engage in or finance, directly or indirectly the production, transmission, or sale of electric power.  The area comprising the Bear Creek watershed shall include such land defined in enabling legislation herein authorized as shall lie within the counties of Marion, Colbert, Franklin and Winston.

SEC. 93.16 WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS.

Section 1

 The legislature may provide for the formation of water management districts for the establishment of works of improvement for the drainage of wet, swamp, and overflowed lands of the state, and for flood prevention or the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water within the state;  confer the right of eminent domain for such purposes, provide for the taxing of the whole or part of the cost of such improvements against the lands and property in such district to the extent of the increased value thereof by reason of special benefits derived from such improvements;  and provide for the issuance of bonds for such districts with or without an election;  provided, however, that nothing herein shall authorize any such water management districts to engage in or finance, directly or indirectly, the production, transmission or sale of electric power.

Section 2

 The provisions of this amendment are cumulative and shall not be construed to repeal amendment XV [Baldwin County § 2–11.00 and Mobile County § 49–11.00] or [Section 93.11].

SEC. 93.17 ORGANIZATION AND PROMOTION OF SHRIMP AND SEAFOOD INDUSTRY.

The Legislature, by general law, may provide for the promotion of the production, distribution, improvement, marketing, use, and sale of shrimp and seafood.  The Legislature may provide for the promotion of shrimp and seafood and shrimp and seafood products by research, education, advertising, and other methods, and the Legislature is further authorized to provide the means and methods for the financing of any promotional activity by prescribing a procedure whereby producers of shrimp and seafood by referendum among such producers levy upon themselves and collect assessments, fees, or charges upon the sale of shrimp and seafood or upon diesel fuel purchased for use in any commercial shrimp boat licensed to do business in this state for the financing of any promotional program or activity in cooperation with buyers, processors, dealers, distributors, and handlers of shrimp and seafood.  The Legislature may make provisions for the nonpayment of assessments by shrimp and seafood producers and shall make provisions for the refund of assessments to any handler of shrimp or seafood who does not desire to participate in an assessment program.

The Legislature shall provide for the collection, disbursement, distribution, or expenditure of assessments or charges authorized hereunder and provide penalties for failure to make collection and distribution of assessments.  The Legislature shall provide for the designation of a nonprofit association or organization for the promotion and betterment of shrimp and seafood products to administer and carry out such promotional program which shall include the conducting of elections or referendums among producers of shrimp and seafood.  The Legislature may provide the manner by which the referendum is held, including the procedure for application for approval to conduct the referendum, the appropriate action to be taken by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries on an application, and the requirements and eligibility of the association or organization which will conduct the referendum.  The Legislature shall further provide for the deposit, withdrawal, disbursement, and expenditure by the designated association of any funds received subject to the supervision and control of the activities as authorized herein by the Department of Agriculture and Industries and the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.  The Legislature shall further provide a procedure whereby the association or organization is bonded, for the examination and auditing of the association or organization, and for reasonably necessary rules and regulations to be adopted by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries to effectively carry out the intent and purposes herein enumerated.  Assessments, fees, or other charges collected as authorized by any legislative act adopted under authority hereof shall not be considered as a tax within the meaning of this constitution and shall be satisfied by the application of the program upon shrimp or seafood.

SEC. 93.18 GRANT OF CERTAIN MONIES TO PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITIES FOR BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE.

The state, a county, or a municipality is authorized to grant federal award funds or any other source of funding designated for broadband infrastructure by state law to any public or private entity for the purpose of providing or expanding broadband infrastructure.  The granting of funds by a county or a municipality to a private entity pursuant to this section must be approved at a public meeting held by the appropriate county or municipality.

SEC. 94 POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS NOT TO GRANT PUBLIC MONEY OR LEND CREDIT TO INDIVIDUALS OR CORPORATIONS;  ALIENATION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND HOUSING PROJECTS BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AND PUBLIC BODIES;  EXPENDITURES BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF EDUCATION FOR RECOGNITION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

 (a) The Legislature shall not have power to authorize any county, city, town, or other subdivision of this state to lend its credit, or to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or to any individual, association, or corporation whatsoever, or to become a stockholder in any corporation, association, or company, by issuing bonds or otherwise.  The Legislature may enact general, special, or local laws authorizing political subdivisions and public bodies to alienate, with or without a valuable consideration, public parks and playgrounds, or other public recreational facilities and public housing projects, conditional upon the approval of a majority of the duly qualified electors of the county, city, town, or other subdivision affected thereby, voting at an election held for that purposes.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), local school boards of education may expend public funds for the recognition of significant contributions to education in Alabama and to promote educational excellence by students, faculty, staff, and the public.  Recognitions shall be in the form of trophies, plaques, academic banquets, and other honors that promote academic excellence in the public schools of Alabama and recognize special deeds that strengthen public education in Alabama.

SEC. 94.01 PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BY COUNTY COMMISSION.

 (a) The governing body of a county or municipality shall have full and continuing power to do any of the following:

(1) Use public funds to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire real property, buildings, plants, factories, facilities, machinery, and equipment of any kind, or to utilize properties purchased or otherwise acquired on or before adoption of this amendment, and to improve and develop the properties for use as sites for industry of any kind or as industrial park projects, including, but not limited to, grading and the construction of roads, drainage, sewers, sewage and waste disposal systems, parking areas, and utilities to serve the sites or projects.

(2) Lease, sell, grant, exchange, or otherwise convey, on terms approved by the governing body of the county or the municipality, as applicable, all or any part of any real property, buildings, plants, factories, facilities, machinery, and equipment of any kind or industrial park project to any individual, firm, corporation, or other business entity, public or private, including any industrial development board or other public corporation or authority created by the county or the municipality before or after adoption of this amendment, for the purpose of constructing, developing, equipping, and operating industrial, commercial, research, or service facilities of any kind.

(3) Lend its credit to, or grant public funds and things of value in aid of, or to, any individual, firm, corporation, or other business entity, public or private, for the purpose of promoting the economic and industrial development of the county or the municipality.

(4) Become indebted and issue bonds, warrants, notes, or other obligations, or evidences of indebtedness to an aggregate outstanding principal amount not exceeding an amount equal to 50 percent of the assessed value of taxable property therein as determined for state taxation, in order to secure funds for the purchase, construction, lease, or acquisition of any of the property described in subdivision (1), or to be used in furtherance of any of the other powers or authorities granted in this amendment.  The obligations or evidences of indebtedness may be issued upon the full faith and credit of the county or any municipality or may be limited as to the source of their payment.

(b) The recital in any bonds, warrants, notes, or other obligations, or evidences of indebtedness that they were issued pursuant to this amendment, or that they were issued to provide funds to be used in furtherance of any power or authority herein authorized shall be conclusive, and no purchaser or holder thereof need inquire further.  The bonds, warrants, notes, or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness issued hereunder do not constitute an indebtedness of the county or any municipality for the purpose of determining the borrowing capacity of the county or municipality under this Constitution.

(c) In carrying out the purpose of this amendment, a county or a municipality shall not be subject to Section 93 or 94 of this Constitution, nor shall a county or municipality be required to comply with the provisions of Section 222 of this Constitution unless issuing general obligation bond instruments establishing a requirement for repayment.  Each public corporation created by the county or by any municipality located therein on or before the adoption of this amendment, including specifically any industrial development board incorporated under Article 4 of Chapter 54 of Title 11 of the Code of Alabama 1975, and any industrial development authority incorporated or reincorporated under Chapter 92A of Title 11 of the Code of Alabama 1975, and the Shoals Economic Development Authority enacted under Act No. 95–512, 1995 Regular Session, are validated and the powers granted to the board or authority under its respective enabling legislation are validated, notwithstanding any other provision of law or of this Constitution.  The powers granted by this amendment may be exercised as an exclusive alternative to, or cumulative with, and in no way restrictive of, powers otherwise granted by this Constitution or any law to the county, or to any municipality, or to any agency, board, or authority created pursuant to the laws of this state.

(d) Neither the county nor any municipality located therein shall lend its credit to, or grant any public funds or thing of value to, or in aid of, any private entity under the authority of this amendment unless prior to doing so, both of the following are satisfied:

(1) The action proposed to be taken by the county or municipality is approved at a public meeting of the governing body of the county or municipality, as the case may be, by a resolution containing a determination by the governing body that the expenditure of public funds for the purpose specified will serve a valid and sufficient public purpose, notwithstanding any incidental benefit accruing to any private entity or entities.

(2) At least seven days prior to the public meeting, a notice is published in a newspaper in circulation in the county or municipality, as the case may be, describing in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken, a description of the public benefits sought to be achieved by the action, and identifying each individual, firm, corporation, or other business entity to whom, or for whose benefit, the county or the municipality proposes to lend its credit or grant public funds or thing of value.

(e) For purposes of the foregoing, any sale, lease, or other disposition of property for a price equal to its fair market value thereof shall not constitute the lending of credit or a grant of public funds or thing of value in aid of a private entity.

(f) Nothing in this amendment shall authorize the county commission to own or operate a cable television system.

(g) Any action taken, or agreement made, under Amendment 772 by any county or municipality prior to the date this amendment is ratified and confirmed in all respects as of that date, except to the extent that its validity is being challenged in appropriate judicial proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction on the date this amendment is ratified.  These amendatory provisions shall have prospective application only.  Any local constitutional amendments previously adopted and any local law enacted pursuant to such amendment shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 94.02 TAX INCREMENT DISTRICTS IN COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES.

Any other provision of the Constitution heretofore adopted to the contrary notwithstanding, the legislature is hereby authorized to enact legislation permitting municipalities and counties to establish tax increment districts, as may be defined in such legislation;  to authorize the payment to any such municipality or county of the increase in ad valorem taxes resulting from the redevelopment or revitalization of any such district except to the extent that any such payment would jeopardize the payment of any bonded indebtedness secured by any tax applicable in the proposed district;  and subject to the mutual agreement of the municipality and county affected thereby to provide that all such increases in ad valorem taxes shall be payable to such municipality or county until the indebtedness or costs incurred for any project have been paid in full;  to provide that public moneys, including the proceeds of obligations issued by the municipality or county for such purposes, may be expended for the acquisition of property and the redevelopment, rehabilitation or conservation thereof which may be disposed of to or for the benefit of private interest for compensation established by the governing body of county or municipality, as the case may be which established such district, but for not less than the fair market value thereof determined by one or more independent appraisals of such property;  and to provide that any such obligations shall not be chargeable against the constitutional debt limit of the issuer unless such obligations shall be general obligations of the issuer in addition to being payable from such increases in property taxes.  Any legislation passed at the same session of the legislature at which this amendment is proposed, which shall be in furtherance of or in implementation of the authority hereby granted is hereby validated and confirmed.

SEC. 95 IMPAIRING OBLIGATION OF CONTRACTS;  REVIVAL OF BARRED RIGHTS OR REMEDIES;  REMOVAL OF CAUSE OF ACTION OR DEFENSE TO SUIT AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF SUIT.

There can be no law of this state impairing the obligation of contracts by destroying or impairing the remedy for their enforcement;  and the legislature shall have no power to revive any right or remedy which may have become barred by lapse of time, or by any statute of this state.  After suit has been commenced on any cause of action, the legislature shall have no power to take away such cause of action, or destroy any existing defense to such suit.

SEC. 96 UNIFORMITY OF LAWS REGULATING COURT COSTS AND CHARGES AND FEES, COMMISSIONS AND ALLOWANCES OF PUBLIC OFFICERS.

The legislature shall not enact any law not applicable to all the counties in the state, regulating costs and charges of courts, or fees, commissions or allowances of public officers.

SEC. 96.01 SALARIES, FEES, ETC., OF COUNTY OFFICIALS CHARGED WITH ASSESSING AND COLLECTING AD VALOREM TAXES;  ABOLISHMENT, COMBINATION OR ALTERATION OF OFFICES OF TAX ASSESSOR, TAX COLLECTOR OR LICENSE COMMISSIONER.

The legislature may, from time to time, by general or local law applicable to the various counties of this state, establish the salaries, fees, commissions or allowances to be charged or received by the tax assessors, tax collectors, license commissioners, revenue commissioners or other officials charged with the assessing and collecting of ad valorem taxes in the various counties of this state, including changing the method and basis of their compensation;  and may place any or all of such officials on a salary and further provide for disposition of the fees, commissions, allowances or other compensation theretofore paid to such officials;  and may provide that the salaries of such officials may be paid from the ad valorem taxes assessed and collected by them on a pro rata basis from the various funds receiving such ad valorem taxes;  provided, however, that following the effective date of any general law passed pursuant to this constitutional amendment, the legislature may not thereafter either increase or decrease the salaries of such officials during any term for which such officials have been elected or appointed, and in the case of such officials who were converted from a fee basis to a salary basis of compensation, the legislature may not decrease the salaries of such officials during any term for which such officials have been elected or appointed or may be thereafter re-elected or re-appointed.  The legislature may by local act provide for the abolishment, combination or other alteration of the offices of tax assessor, tax collector or license commissioner with approval of a majority of voters in the county affected.

In the event this amendment is approved and subsequently ratified by the qualified electors of this state who vote thereon when it is submitted, then any law theretofore passed by the legislature addressing the subject matter covered by this amendment shall become effective according to the provisions of said law.

SEC. 97 PAYMENT OF SALARY OF DECEASED OFFICER AFTER DATE OF DEATH.

The legislature shall not authorize payment to any person of the salary of a deceased officer beyond the date of his death.

SEC. 98 PAYMENTS OR GRANTS TO RETIRING OFFICERS.

The legislature shall not retire any officer on pay, or part pay, or make any grant to such retiring officer;  however, the legislature shall have the authority to provide that superintendents of education shall be eligible to participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System of Alabama as the legislature may see fit.

SEC. 99 RESTRICTIONS ON DONATION OR SALE OF STATE LANDS TO PRIVATE CORPORATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS;  GRANT OF EASEMENTS TO RAILROAD, TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANIES.

Lands belonging to or under the control of the state shall never be donated, directly or indirectly, to private corporations, associations, or individuals, or railroad companies;  nor shall such lands be sold to corporations or associations for a less price than that for which they are subject to sale to individuals;  provided, that nothing contained in this section shall prevent the legislature from granting a right of way, not exceeding one hundred and twenty-five feet in width, as a mere easement, for railroads or telegraph or telephone lines across state land, and the legislature shall never dispose of the land covered by such right of way except subject to such easement.

SEC. 100 OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES OF CORPORATIONS, ETC., HELD OR OWNED BY STATE, COUNTIES OR MUNICIPALITIES.

No obligation or liability of any person, association, or corporation held or owned by this state, or by any county or other municipality thereof, shall ever be remitted, released, or postponed, or in any way diminished, by the legislature;  nor shall such liability or obligation be extinguished except by payment thereof;  nor shall such liability or obligation be exchanged or transferred except upon payment of its face value;  provided, that this section shall not prevent the legislature from providing by general law for the compromise of doubtful claims.

SEC. 101 LOBBYING IN LEGISLATURE BY STATE OR COUNTY OFFICIALS.

No state or county official shall, at any time during his term of office, accept, either directly or indirectly, any fee, money, office, appointment, employment, reward, or thing of value, or of personal advantage, or the promise thereof, to lobby for or against any measure pending before the legislature, or to give or withhold his influence to secure the passage or defeat of any such measure.

SEC. 103 REGULATION, ETC., OF COMMON CARRIERS, PARTNERSHIPS, ASSOCIATIONS, TRUSTS, MONOPOLIES AND COMBINATIONS OF CAPITAL.

The legislature shall provide by law for the regulation, prohibition, or reasonable restraint of common carriers, partnerships, associations, trusts, monopolies, and combinations of capital, so as to prevent them or any of them from making scarce articles of necessity, trade, or commerce, or from increasing unreasonably the cost thereof to the consumer, or preventing reasonable competition in any calling, trade, or business.

SEC. 104 SPECIAL, PRIVATE OR LOCAL LAWS — PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN CASES.

The legislature shall not pass a special, private, or local law in any of the following cases:

(1) Granting a divorce;

,

(2) Relieving any minor of the disabilities of nonage;

,

(3) Changing the name of any corporation, association, or individual;

,

(4) Providing for the adoption or legitimizing of any child;

,

(5) Incorporating a city, town, or village;

,

(6) Granting a charter to any corporation, association, or individual;

,

(7) Establishing rules of descent or distribution;

,

(8) Regulating the time within which a civil or criminal action may be begun;

,

(9) Exempting any individual, private corporation, or association from the operation of any general law;

,

(10) Providing for the sale of the property of any individual or estate;

,

(11) Changing or locating a county seat;

,

(12) Providing for a change of venue in any case;

,

(13) Regulating the rate of interest;

,

(14) Fixing the punishment of crime;

,

(15) Regulating either the assessment or collection of taxes, except in connection with the readjustment, renewal, or extension of existing municipal indebtedness created prior to the ratification of the Constitution of eighteen hundred and seventy-five;

,

(16) Giving effect to an invalid will, deed, or other instrument;

,

(17) Authorizing any county, city, town, village, district, or other political subdivision of a county, to issue bonds or other securities unless the issuance of said bonds or other securities shall have been authorized before the enactment of such local or special law, by a vote of the duly qualified electors of such county, township, city, town, village, district, or other political subdivision of a county, at an election held for such purpose, in the manner that may be prescribed by law;  provided, the legislature may, without such election, pass special laws to refund bonds issued before the date of the ratification of this Constitution;

,

(18) Amending, confirming, or extending the charter of any private or municipal corporation, or remitting the forfeiture thereof;  provided, this shall not prohibit the legislature from altering or rearranging the boundaries of the city, town, or village;

,

(19) Creating, extending, or impairing any lien;

,

(20) Chartering or licensing any ferry, road, or bridge;

,

(21) Increasing the jurisdiction and fees of justices of the peace or the fees of constables;

,

(22) Establishing separate school districts;

,

(23) Establishing separate stock districts;

,

(24) Creating, increasing, or decreasing fees, percentages, or allowances of public officers;

,

(25) Exempting property from taxation or from levy or sale;

,

(26) Exempting any person from jury, road, or other civil duty;

,

(27) Donating any lands owned by or under control of the state to any person or corporation;

,

(28) Remitting fines, penalties, or forfeitures;

,

(29) Providing for the conduct of elections or designating places of voting, or changing the boundaries of wards, precincts, or districts, except in the event of the organization of new counties, or the changing of the lines of old counties;

,

(30) Restoring the right to vote to persons convicted of infamous crimes, or crimes involving moral turpitude;

,

(31) Declaring who shall be liners between precincts or between counties.  The legislature shall pass general laws for the cases enumerated in this section, provided that nothing in this section or article shall affect the right of the legislature to enact local laws regulating or prohibiting the liquor traffic;  but no such local law shall be enacted unless notice shall have been given as required in section 106 of this Constitution.

SEC. 104.01 ELECTION OF CITY BOARDS OF EDUCATION — POPULATION 125,000 OR LESS.

The Legislature by local law may provide in any municipality with a city board of education for the conducting of an authorizing referendum election regarding changing the city board of education to an elected city board of education.  The Legislature by local law may authorize the governing body of any municipality with a city board of education, upon a recorded majority vote of the governing body, to call and conduct an authorizing referendum election regarding changing the city board of education of that municipality to an elected city board of education.

If a majority of the qualified electors voting in an authorizing referendum election called in either of the preceding manners vote in favor of an elected city board of education, the Legislature, from time to time, by local law may provide for the election of a city board of education in that municipality.  Such local law or laws may include, but are not limited to, providing for termination of the terms of office of members of the existing city board of education;  the composition of the city board of education;  initial and succeeding terms of office, including staggered terms;  election districts and at-large membership;  qualifications;  powers, duties, and responsibilities;  vacancies;  and compensation.

Any general law, municipal classification law, or local law providing for or authorizing an elected city board of education in any municipality enacted within the last 1,095 days prior to the ratification date of this amendment is validated and confirmed.  Any local referendum conducted pursuant to such general law, municipal classification law, or local law, or any combination of such laws, in which a majority of the qualified electors of the municipality voting voted in favor of an elected city board of education, is also validated and confirmed and that local referendum is considered as an authorizing referendum election for purposes of this amendment.

Notwithstanding Acts 97–679 and 97–616 of the 1997 Regular Session, initial elections for the members of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education shall occur at the regularly scheduled municipal elections in the year 2001.  Public hearings shall be held by the legislative delegation and amendments may be prepared and enacted by the Legislature which are deemed necessary and appropriate by the local delegation for any local legislation, including Acts 97–679 and 97–616 of the 1997 Regular Session, which are validated and confirmed by this amendment.

The results of any authorizing referendum election called pursuant to this amendment shall be reported to the State Board of Education which shall maintain a continuing record of those results for public inspection.

It is the intent of the Legislature that this amendment supersede any other provision of this constitution which may be construed as being in conflict with this amendment.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this proposed amendment shall not apply to any municipality with a population exceeding 125,000 according to the most recent federal census.

SEC. 104.02 ELECTION OF CITY BOARDS OF EDUCATION — POPULATION EXCEEDING 125,000.

I. The members of the city board of education of any municipality in the state with a population exceeding 125,000 shall be elected by the qualified electors of the municipality in which the city board of education is located.

II. This amendment shall apply to a municipality with a population exceeding 125,000 if, at the time this amendment is submitted to a statewide vote, a majority of the qualified electors voting on the amendment in the respective municipality vote in favor of the amendment.

III. Upon the application of this amendment to a respective municipality, either at the time of the ratification of this amendment or at a later time, the Legislature shall, by local law, provide for the dissolution of any existing nonelected city board of education in an applicable municipality and for the date the elected city board of education shall be constituted.  The existing city board of education shall continue to function until the date of dissolution.  Additionally, the Legislature, by local law, may provide for the termination of the terms of office of members of an existing city board of education;  the composition of the elected city board of education;  initial and succeeding terms of office, including staggered terms;  election districts and at-large membership;  qualifications;  powers, duties, and responsibilities;  vacancies;  and compensation.

IV. If a municipality comes within the application of this constitutional amendment after the date of ratification of this constitutional amendment, the provisions of this constitutional amendment shall only apply to that municipality if such provisions are approved by a majority vote of the qualified electors of the municipality voting at a special referendum called and conducted pursuant to local law, adopted from time to time by the Legislature.

SEC. 105 SPECIAL, PRIVATE OR LOCAL LAWS — PROHIBITED IN CASES PROVIDED FOR BY GENERAL LAW;  EXCEPTION AS TO TIME OF HOLDING COURTS;  PARTIAL REPEAL OF GENERAL LAWS.

No special, private, or local law, except a law fixing the time of holding courts, shall be enacted in any case which is provided for by a general law, or when the relief sought can be given by any court of this state;  and the courts, and not the legislature, shall judge as to whether the matter of said law is provided for by a general law, and as to whether the relief sought can be given by any court;  nor shall the legislature indirectly enact any such special, private, or local law by the partial repeal of a general law.

SEC. 106 SPECIAL, PRIVATE OR LOCAL LAWS — PUBLICATION OR POSTING OF NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPLY THEREFOR WITHIN COUNTY OR COUNTIES AFFECTED PRIOR TO INTRODUCTION OF BILL.

No special, private, or local law shall be passed on any subject not enumerated in section 104 of this Constitution, except in reference to fixing the time of holding courts, unless notice of the intention to apply therefor shall have been published, without cost to the state, in the county or counties where the matter or thing to be affected may be situated, which notice shall state the substance of the proposed law and be published at least once a week for four consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in such county or counties or if there is no newspaper published therein, then by posting the said notice for two consecutive weeks at five different places in the county or counties prior to the introduction of the bill;  and proof that said notice has been given shall be exhibited to each house of the legislature through a certification by the clerk of the house or secretary of the senate that notice and proof was attached to the subject local legislation and the notice and proof shall be attached to the original copy of the subject bill and shall be filed in the department of archives and history where it shall constitute a public record.  The courts shall pronounce void every special, private, or local law which the journals do not affirmatively show was passed in accordance with the provisions of this section.

This amendment shall be self-executing, and no enabling legislation shall be necessary.

(As amended by Amendment 341.)

SEC. 106.01 VALIDATION OF CERTAIN POPULATION BASED ACTS AND METHOD FOR AMENDMENT THEREOF.

Any statute that was otherwise valid and constitutional that was enacted before January 13, 1978, by the legislature of this state and was a general act of local application on a population basis, that applied only to a certain county or counties or a municipality or municipalities of this state, shall not be declared invalid or unconstitutional by any court of this state because it was not properly advertised in compliance with section 106 of this Constitution.

All such population based acts shall forever apply only to the county or counties or municipality or municipalities to which they applied on January 13, 1978, and no other, despite changes in population.

The population based acts referred to above shall only be amended by acts which are properly advertised and passed by the legislature in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

SEC. 107 SPECIAL, PRIVATE OR LOCAL LAWS — NOTICE REQUIRED BY SECTION 106 PREREQUISITE TO REPEAL OR AMENDMENT.

The legislature shall not, by a special, private, or local law, repeal or modify any special, private, or local law except upon notice being given and shown as provided in the last preceding section.

SEC. 108 SUSPENSION OF GENERAL LAWS FOR BENEFIT OF INDIVIDUALS OR PRIVATE CORPORATIONS;  EXEMPTION OF INDIVIDUALS OR PRIVATE CORPORATIONS FROM OPERATION OF GENERAL LAWS.

The operation of a general law shall not be suspended for the benefit of any individual, private corporation, or association;  nor shall any individual, private corporation or association be exempted from the operation of any general law except as in this article otherwise provided.

SEC. 109 GENERAL LAWS FOR PROTECTION OF LOCAL AND PRIVATE INTERESTS.

The legislature shall pass general laws under which local and private interests shall be provided for and protected.

SEC. 110 “GENERAL LAW,” “LOCAL LAW” AND “SPECIAL LAW” DEFINED

A general law is a law which in its terms and effect applies either to the whole state, or to one or more municipalities of the state less than the whole in a class.  A general law applicable to such a class of municipalities shall define the class on the basis of criteria reasonably related to the purpose of the law, provided that the legislature may also enact and change from time to time a general schedule of not more than eight classes of municipalities based on population according to any designated federal decennial census, and general laws for any purpose may thereafter be enacted for any such class.  Any law heretofore enacted which complies with the provisions of this section shall be considered a general law.

No general law which at the time of its enactment applies to only one municipality of the state shall be enacted, unless notice of the intention to apply therefor shall have been given and shown as provided in Section 106 of this Constitution for special, private or local laws;  provided, that such notice shall not be deemed to constitute such law a local law.

A special or private law is one which applies to an individual, association or corporation.  A local law is a law which is not a general law or a special or private law.

Act No. 79–263 (House Bill No. 68) entitled “An Act to establish eight classes of municipalities, by population, based on the 1970 Federal decennial census” approved June 28, 1979, and each and every Act of the legislature thereafter enacted referred or relating to a class of municipalities as established in said Act No. 79–263 are hereby in all things ratified, approved, validated and confirmed as of the date of their enactment, any provision or provisions of the Constitution of Alabama, as amended, to the contrary notwithstanding.

SEC. 111 AMENDMENT OF BILL INTRODUCED AS GENERAL LAW SO AS TO BECOME SPECIAL, PRIVATE OR LOCAL LAW ON PASSAGE.

No bill introduced as a general law in either house of the legislature shall be so amended on its passage as to become a special, private or local law.

SEC. 111.01 LAWS PLACING RESPONSIBILITY FOR COUNTY ROADS IN STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.

The legislature shall not hereafter by general, special or local law authorize the state highway department or any other agency of the state of Alabama, other than a court of county commissioners, board of revenue or like county governing body, to assume responsibility for the construction, repair or maintenance of all county roads or bridges within a county unless the assumption of such responsibility by the state highway department or other agency shall be approved by a vote of the duly qualified electors of the county in which such roads lie at an election held for such purpose, in the manner that may be prescribed by law.  Provided, the state highway department, or other state agency may engage in the construction, repair or maintenance of a county road or bridge upon written agreement signed by the director and a majority of the members of the county governing body;  and provided further that the legislature is not prohibited from authorizing the highway director or other state agency to designate certain routes or roads within a county as a part of the state highway system.

SEC. 111.02 TERMINATION OF ALIMONY UPON REMARRIAGE OR COHABITATION OF SPOUSE.

The legislature may pass laws to provide for the termination of alimony upon the remarriage of the spouse receiving the alimony or upon such spouse living openly or cohabiting with a member of the opposite sex.  Such laws may be made to apply retrospectively.

SEC. 111.03 EFFECTIVENESS OF LAWS PROVIDING FOR EXPENDITURE OF COUNTY FUNDS.

No law, whether general, special or local, whose purpose or effect is to provide for a new or increased expenditure of county funds held or disbursed by the county governing body shall become effective as to any county of this state until the first day of the fiscal year next following the passage of such law.  The foregoing notwithstanding, a law, whether general, special or local, whose purpose or effect is to provide for a new or increased expenditure of county funds held or disbursed by the county governing body, shall become effective according to its own terms as any other law if:  (1) such law is approved by a resolution duly adopted by and spread upon the minutes of the county governing body of the county affected thereby;  or (2) such law (or other law or laws which specifically refer to such law) provides the respective county governing bodies with new or additional revenues sufficient to fund such new or increased expenditures.

SEC. 111.04 EFFECTIVENESS OF LAWS PROVIDING FOR EXPENDITURE OF MUNICIPAL FUNDS.

No law, whether general, special or local, whose purpose or effect is to provide for a new or increased expenditure of municipal funds held or disbursed by the municipal governing body shall become effective as to any municipality of this state until the first day of the fiscal year next following the passage of such law.  The foregoing notwithstanding, a law, whether general, special or local, whose purpose or effect is to provide for a new or increased expenditure of municipal funds held or disbursed by the municipal governing body, shall become effective according to its own terms as any other law if:  (1) Such law is approved by a resolution duly adopted by and spread upon the minutes of the municipal governing body of the municipality affected thereby;  or (2) Such law (or other law or laws which specifically refer to such law) provides the respective municipal governing bodies with new or additional revenues sufficient to fund such new or increased expenditures.

SEC. 111.05 EFFECTIVENESS OF UNFUNDED MANDATES FOR MUNICIPALITIES, ETC.

 (a) No general law, or state executive order whose purpose or effect is to require a new or increased expenditure of funds held or disbursed by the governing body of a municipality or county, or an instrumentality thereof, or a city or county board of education shall become effective as to any municipality or county, or an instrumentality thereof, or a city or county board of education until approved by an ordinance enacted, or a resolution adopted, by the governing authority of the affected municipality, county, instrumentality, or board of education or until, and only as long as, the Legislature appropriates funds for the purpose to the affected municipality, county, instrumentality, or board and only to the extent and amount that the funds are provided, or until a law provides for a local source of revenue within the municipality, county, instrumentality, or board for the stated purpose and the affected municipality, county, instrumentality, or board is authorized by ordinance or resolution to levy and collect the revenue and only to the extent and amount of the revenue.

(b) This amendment shall not apply to:

(1) A local law as defined in Article IV, Section 110, Constitution of Alabama of 1901.

(2) An act defining a new crime or amending the definition of an existing crime.

(3) An act, statute, executive order enacted, promulgated, or adopted and effective prior to January 6, 1999, which by its provisions requires expenditures by the county or municipality at any time after that date.

(4) An act enacted, or state executive order promulgated or adopted to comply with a federal mandate, only to the extent of the federal mandate.

(5) An act adopted or enacted by two-thirds of those voting in each house of the Legislature and any rule or regulation adopted to implement that act or adopted pursuant thereto.

(6) An act determined by the Legislative Fiscal Office to have an aggregate insignificant fiscal impact on affected municipalities, counties, instrumentalities, or boards.  For purposes of this subsection, the phrase “aggregate insignificant fiscal impact” shall mean any impact less than $50,000 annually.

(7) An act of general application prescribing the minimum compensation for public officials.

(8) An act, statute, administrative rule, or other provision or portion thereof addressing compensation, benefits, or due process of any employee of a board education.

(c) For the purposes of this amendment, the phrase board of education shall include the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.

SEC. 111.06 EXPENDITURE OF FEES OR TAXES RELATING TO USE, ETC., OF VEHICLES AND TO FUELS USED FOR VEHICLES.

No moneys derived from any fees, excises, or license taxes, levied by the state, relating to registration, operation, or use of vehicles upon the public highways except a vehicle-use tax imposed in lieu of a sales tax, and no moneys derived from any fee, excises, or license taxes, levied by the state, relating to fuels used for propelling such vehicles except pump taxes, shall be expended for other than cost of administering such laws, statutory refunds and adjustments allowed therein, cost of construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public highways and bridges, costs of highway rights-of-way, payment of highway obligations, the cost of traffic regulation, and the expense of enforcing state traffic and motor vehicle laws.  The provisions of this amendment shall not apply to any such fees, excises, or license taxes now levied by the state for school purposes for this whole state or for any county or city board of education therein;  and the legislature may provide for the manufacture, distribution and use on private passenger or pleasure motor vehicles of personalized license plates or tags, bearing some special letters, figures, mark or badge of distinction or personal prestige in lieu of the regular license plates or tags, and if it does so, the legislature must also require that such tags may be procured only by payment of a fee or charge, in addition to the regular fee, excise or license tax for the registration, operation or use of such motor vehicles upon the highways.  The moneys derived from the additional charge made for such special or distinctive license plates or tags, in excess of the cost of the manufacture and distribution of such plates or tags, may be used in such manner as the legislature prescribes.

SEC. 111.07 MAXIMUM AGE LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN APPOINTED OR ELECTED OFFICIALS PROHIBITED.

1. Any provision of the constitution or other law that imposes a maximum age restriction for the appointment, election, or service of an appointed or elected official, with the exception of persons elected or appointed to a judicial office pursuant to Section 155, is repealed.

2. The Legislature may not enact any law imposing a maximum age restriction for the appointment, election, or service of any appointed or elected official.

SEC. 111.08 IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF LAWS PROVIDING FOR CONDUCT OF THE GENERAL ELECTION.

The implementation date for any bill enacted by the Legislature in a calendar year in which a general election is to be held and relating to the conduct of the general election shall be at least six months before the general election.