Alabama House of Representatives explained

Alabama House of Representatives
Legislature:Alabama State Legislature
Coa Pic:Seal of Alabama.svg
Session Room:Alabama House of Representatives.jpg
House Type:Lower house
Term Limits:None
New Session:March 7, 2023
Leader1 Type:Speaker
Leader1:Nathaniel Ledbetter (R)
Election1:January 10, 2023
Leader2 Type:Speaker pro Tempore
Leader2:Chris Pringle (R)
Election2:January 10, 2023
Leader3 Type:Majority Leader
Leader3:Scott Stadthagen (R)
Election3:November 11, 2022
Leader4 Type:Minority Leader
Leader4:Anthony Daniels (D)
Election4:February 8, 2017
Term Length:4 years
Authority:Article IV, Alabama Constitution
Salary:$53,913/yr [1]
Members:105
Structure1:Alabama House of Representatives May 2024.svg
Structure1 Res:250px
Political Groups1:Majority

Minority

Vacant

Voting System1:First-past-the-post
Last Election1:November 8, 2022
(105 seats)
Next Election1:January 9, 2024
(Special election, 2 seats)
November 3, 2026
(105 seats)
Redistricting:Legislative Control
Meeting Place:House of Representatives
Alabama State House
Montgomery, Alabama
Website:Alabama House of Representatives
Rules:Alabama House of Representatives Rules

The Alabama State House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal number of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term limits in the House. The House is also one of the five lower houses of state legislatures in the United States that is elected every four years. Other lower houses, including the United States House of Representatives, are elected for a two-year term.

The House meets at the Alabama State House in Montgomery.

Legal provisions

The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, with the upper house being the Alabama Senate. Both bodies are constitutionally required to convene annually at the Alabama State House.[2] In quadrennial election years (e.g. 2018), they convene on the second Tuesday in January. In the first year after quadrennial election years (e.g. 2019), they convene on the first Tuesday in March. In the second and third years of quadrennium (e.g. 2020 and 2021), the Legislature convenes on the first Tuesday in February. From that date of convention, the House of Representatives must meet for 30 legislative days over the course of 105 calendar days.

The legislature is not permitted to call for special sessions, though they may determine the subject of those sessions by a two-thirds vote in the event that they do take place. Special sessions in the Alabama Legislature span 30 calendar days and meet for 12 of them.

Membership requirements

The Alabama House of Representatives consists of 105 members, each representing single-member legislative districts of equal size. State representatives have a term length of four years, uncommonly lengthy among lower legislative chambers in the United States. Members have been elected in what correspond with United States midterm election years since 1902.

In order to serve in the House, an individual must have attained the age of 21. The person must also be a qualified voter who has resided in the state of Alabama for at least three years and in their legislative district for at least one year. In accordance with Section 46 of the Constitution of Alabama, "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."[3] As a result, representatives formally assume their positions on the day after Election Day in early November.

Leadership

The most powerful individual in the chamber is the Speaker of the House, who is elected by all 105 representatives. Other leadership positions include the Speaker pro tempore (also elected by the entire chamber) and the Majority Leader (elected by the majority party caucus).

The minority party is headed by the Minority Leader, who is elected by the minority party caucus.

Compensation

Constitutional Amendment 57 provides the methods for setting legislative compensation. Since 2021, representatives earn $51,734 per year.[4] Representatives are also allotted $85 per day for single overnight stays or $100 per day for multiple overnight stays in order to accommodate lodging needs. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives earns an additional $18,000 per year.

No retirement benefits are available to representatives.

Legislative process

House bills are referred to their committees of jurisdiction by the Speaker. Bills can be introduced at any point in the legislative session.

The Governor of Alabama has the authority to use a line-item veto on appropriations bills as long as they are returned to the legislature before its adjournment. In most circumstances, during the legislative session, the Governor has six days to consider vetoing legislation before it automatically becomes law. If session has concluded, the Governor has 10 days to consider legislation. Vetoes can be overturned by a majority vote in both chambers of the Alabama Legislature.

Legislative staffing

State representatives are given year-round personal staff at the Capitol, as well as some staff who are shared between members. Representatives for select counties are entitled to shared district office staff. All committees have paid clerical staff, while only some committees have additional professional staff.

Committees

Committee members and committee chairpersons are both assigned by the Speaker.

There are currently 33 standing committees in the House.[5] They are as follows:

Composition

AffiliationParty

(Shading indicates majority caucus)

Total
RepublicanDemocraticVacant
nowrap style="font-size:80%"End of previous legislature72331050
nowrap style="font-size:80%"Begin previous legislature77281050
nowrap style="font-size:80%"End of previous legislature76271032
nowrap style="font-size:80%"Begin 2023 legislative session rowspan=277281050
nowrap style="font-size:80%"May 23, 2023271041
nowrap style="font-size:80%"June 30, 2023761032
nowrap style="font-size:80%"August 31, 2023 rowspan=2751023
nowrap style="font-size:80%"October 24, 2023281032
nowrap style="font-size:80%"January 9, 2024761041
nowrap style="font-size:80%"January 23, 2024 rowspan=3751032
nowrap style="font-size:80%"March 13, 2024271023
nowrap style="font-size:80%"March 26, 2024281032
nowrap style="font-size:80%"April 30, 2024761041
Latest voting share

House leadership

PositionNamePartyDistrict
Speaker of the HouseNathaniel LedbetterRepublican24th–Rainsville
Speaker pro temporeChris PringleRepublican101st–Mobile
Clerk of the HouseJohn Treadwell

Majority Leadership

PositionNamePartyDistrict
House Majority LeaderScott StadthagenRepublican9th–Hartselle
Majority Leader ViceRandall SheddRepublican11th–Fairview
Majority Caucus Vice-ChairWes KitchensRepublican27th–Arab
Majority Caucus Secretary/TreasurerDebbie WoodRepublican38th–Valley

Minority Leadership

PositionNamePartyDistrict
Minority Leader in House of Representatives Anthony DanielsDemocratic53rd–Huntsville-Minority Vice Leader in House of Representatives Merika ColemanDemocratic57th–Birmingham--->
Minority Caucus ChairChristopher J. EnglandDemocratic70th–Tuscaloosa
Minority Caucus Vice-ChairBarbara DrummondDemocratic103rd–Mobile
Minority WhipsAdline ClarkeDemocratic97th–Mobile
Jeremy GrayDemocratic83rd–Opelika
Tashina MorrisDemocratic77th–Montgomery
Minority Caucus Secretary/TreasurerKelvin LawrenceDemocratic69th–Hayneville

House roster

DistrictNamePartyResidenceFirst electedCounties represented
1Phillip PettusRepKillen2014Lauderdale
2Ben HarrisonRepAthens2022Lauderdale, Limestone
3Bubba UnderwoodRepTuscumbia2022Colbert, Lauderdale
4Parker MooreRepDecatur2018↑Limestone, Madison, Morgan
5Danny CrawfordRepAthens2016Limestone
6Andy WhittRepArdmore2018Limestone, Madison
7Ernie YarbroughRepTrinity2022Colbert, Lawrence, Morgan
8Terri CollinsRepDecatur2010Morgan
9Scott StadthagenRepHartselle2018Morgan
10Marilyn LandsDemHuntsville2024↑Madison
11Randall SheddRepCullman2013Blount, Cullman
12Corey HarbisonRepGood Hope2014Cullman
13Matt WoodsRepJasper2022Walker
14Tim WadsworthRepArley2014
15Leigh HulseyRepHelena2022Jefferson, Shelby
16Bryan BrinyarkRepWindham Springs2024↑Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa
17Tracy EstesRepWinfield2018Lamar, Marion, Winston
18Jamie KielRepRussellville2018Colbert, Franklin
19Laura HallDemHuntsville1993Madison
20James LomaxRepHuntsville2022Madison
21Rex ReynoldsRepHuntsville2018↑Madison
22Ritchie WhortonRepOwens Cross Roads2014Jackson, Madison
23Mike KirklandRepScottsboro2022Jackson
24Nathaniel LedbetterRepRainsville2014DeKalb
25Phillip RigsbyRepHuntsville2022Limestone, Madison
26Brock ColvinRepAlbertville2022Marshall
27Jeana RossRepGuntersville2024↑Marshall
28Mack ButlerRepRainbow City2022Etowah
29Mark GidleyRepGadsden2022Calhoun, Etowah
30Craig LipscombRepGadsden2012Etowah, St. Clair
31Troy StubbsRepPrattville2022Elmore
32Barbara BoydDemAnniston1994Calhoun, Talladega
33Ben RobbinsRepMontgomery2021↑Coosa, Talladega
34David StandridgeRepOneonta2012Blount
35Steve HurstRepMunford1998Calhoun, Clay, Talladega
36Randy WoodRepAnniston2002Calhoun, St. Clair, Talladega
37Bob FincherRepWoodland2014Chambers, Lee, Randolph
38Debbie WoodRepValley2018Chambers, Lee
39Ginny ShaverRepLeesburg2018Cherokee, DeKalb
40Chad RobertsonRepHeflin2022Calhoun, Cleburne
41Corley EllisRepColumbiana2016Shelby
42Ivan SmithRepClanton2019↑Autauga, Chilton
43Arnold MooneyRepBirmingham2014Shelby
44Danny GarrettRepTrussville2014Jefferson
45Susan DuBoseRepHoover2022Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair
46David FaulknerRepHomewood2014Jefferson
47Mike ShawRepHoover2022Jefferson
48Jim CarnsRepVestavia Hills2011Jefferson, Shelby
49Russell BedsoleRepAlabaster2020↑Bibb, Chilton, Shelby
50Jim HillRepOdenville2014St. Clair
51Allen TreadawayRepMorris2006Jefferson
52Vacant since March 13, 2024.Jefferson
53Anthony DanielsDemHuntsville2014Madison
54Neil RaffertyDemBirmingham2018Jefferson
55Travis HendrixDemBirmingham2023↑Jefferson
56Ontario TillmanDemBirmingham2022Jefferson
57Patrick SellersDemBirmingham2022Jefferson
58Rolanda HollisDemBirmingham2017Jefferson
59Mary MooreDemBirmingham2002Jefferson
60Juandalynn GivanDemBirmingham2010Jefferson
61Ron BoltonRepNorthport2022Pickens, Tuscaloosa
62Bill LambRepTuscaloosa2022Tuscaloosa
63Cynthia AlmondRepTuscaloosa2021↑Tuscaloosa
64Donna GivensRepLoxley2022Baldwin
65Brett EasterbrookRepFruitdale2018Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Washington
66Alan BakerRepBrewton2006Baldwin, Escambia
67Prince ChestnutDemSelma2017Dallas, Perry
68Thomas JacksonDemThomasville1994Clarke, Conecuh, Marengo, Monroe, Perry, Wilcox
69Kelvin LawrenceDemHayneville2014Autauga, Lowndes, Montgomery, Wilcox
70Christopher J. EnglandDemTuscaloosa2006Tuscaloosa
71Artis J. McCampbellDemDemopolis2006Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa
72Curtis TravisDemTuscaloosa2022Bibb, Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa
73Kenneth PaschalRepPelham2021↑Shelby
74Phillip EnslerDemMontgomery2022Montgomery
75Reed IngramRepMathews2014Elmore, Montgomery
76Patrice McClammyDemMontgomery2022↑Montgomery
77Tashina MorrisDemMontgomery2018Montgomery
78Kenyatté HassellDemMontgomery2021↑Montgomery
79Joe LovvornRepAuburn2016Lee
80Chris BlackshearRepSmiths Station2016Lee, Russell
81Ed OliverRepAlexander City2018Lee, Tallapoosa
82Pebblin WarrenDemTuskegee2005Lee, Macon
83Jeremy GrayDemOpelika2018Lee, Russell
84Berry ForteDemClayton2010Barbour, Bullock, Russell
85Rick RehmRepDothan2022Henry, Houston
86Paul LeeRepDothan2010Houston
87Jeff SorrellsRepHartford2018Geneva, Houston
88Jerry StarnesRepPrattville2022Autauga, Elmore
89Marcus ParamoreRepTroy2022Dale, Pike
90Chris SellsRepGreenville2014Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Montgomery
91Rhett MarquesRepEnterprise2018Coffee
92Matthew HammettRepDozier2022Coffee, Covington, Escambia
93Steve ClouseRepOzark1994Dale, Houston
94Jennifer FidlerRepFairhope2022Baldwin
95Frances Holk-JonesRepFoley2022Baldwin
96Matt SimpsonRepDaphne2018Baldwin
97Adline ClarkeDemMobile2013Mobile
98Napoleon Bracy Jr.DemSaraland2010Mobile
99Sam JonesDemMobile2018Mobile
100Mark ShireyRepMobile2022Mobile
101Chris PringleRepMobile2014Mobile
102Shane StringerRepMobile2018Baldwin, Mobile
103Barbara DrummondDemMobile2014Mobile
104Margie WilcoxRepMobile2014Mobile
105Chip BrownRepMobile2018Mobile

Past composition of the House

Throughout most of the state's history, the Democratic Party has held the majority in the Alabama House of Representatives except for a few brief exceptions. The Whig Party controlled the lower house in 1819 and again from 1821 to 1823, and for the last time from 1837 to 1838.

After the Civil War and emancipation, granting of citizenship and the franchise to freedmen, most joined the Republican Party. Politics became competitive for several years. Republicans, white and black, held the majority of seats during the Reconstruction period from 1868 to 1870, and again from 1872 to 1874.

Among the House's historical firsts was the election of its first African-American members in 1868, when 27 black Republicans were elected.[6] Among those African Americans elected to the lower house in 1872 was Rev. Mentor Dotson, a teacher. His granddaughter Helen Elsie Austin in 1930 was the first African-American woman to graduate from University of Cincinnati Law School, and in 1937 the first black and first woman to be appointed as state assistant attorney general of Ohio. She had a career as counsel to several federal agencies, was active in civil rights, and served a decade as a US Foreign Service Officer in Africa.

See main article: Disenfranchisement after the Reconstruction era. Beginning in 1876, white Democrats regained control of the state house, through a combination of fraud, intimidation, and armed attacks on Republicans. At the turn of the 20th century, they passed laws that essentially disenfranchised both blacks and poor whites, causing a dramatic drop in voter rolls. Alabama white Democrats helped form the Solid South in Congress. For decades a failure to redistrict according to census returns resulted in the state legislature being dominated by rural counties and conservative Democrats.

In 1922 the first female member was elected to the State House: Hattie Hooker Wilkins of Dallas County, who served a single four-year term.[7]

Some 136 years of Democratic control of the State House ended in November 2010. Beginning with the 2010 general election, Republicans swept to a large majority in the state house. They increased this margin in the elections in 2014 and 2018.

Session history

ElectionSession DatesSpeakerCompositionMap
2014March 3, 2015 – June 4, 2015Mike Hubbard (R)72 Republicans
33 Democrats
February 2, 2016 – May 4, 2016
February 7, 2017 – May 19, 2017Mac McCutcheon (R)
January 9, 2018 – March 29, 2018
2018March 5, 2019 – May 31, 201977 Republicans
28 Democrats
February 4, 2020 – May 18, 2020
February 2, 2021 – May 17, 2021
January 11, 2022 – April 7, 2022
2022March 7, 2023 – June 6, 2023Nathaniel Ledbetter (R)align=center

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Budget Fact Book. 2023-01-04 . The Alabama Legislature . 2023-07-07.
  2. Book: The Book of the States . January 7, 2022 . The Council of State Governments . 53 . January 12, 2022 . January 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220112185404/https://issuu.com/csg.publications/docs/bos_2021_issuu . live .
  3. Web site: Constitution of Alabama, Section 46 . Alabama Legislature . January 12, 2022 . May 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210518231751/http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/constitution/1901/CA-245581.htm . live .
  4. News: Sell . Mary . Alabama lawmakers' p5ay increasing in 2021 . January 12, 2022 . WBRC . Alabama Daily News . December 3, 2020 . January 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220112202548/https://www.wbrc.com/2020/12/03/alabama-lawmakers-pay-increasing/ . live .
  5. Web site: House Standing Committees . Alabama Legislature . January 12, 2022 . January 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093146/https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/committees-house-standing-current . live .
  6. Bailey, Neither Carpetbaggers nor Scalawags (1991)
  7. Dance, Gabby. Alabama Political Reporter, July 24, 2019