Article V, Alabama Constitution

Sec. 112. Maximum age limitations on certain appointed or elected officials prohibited.

The executive department shall consist of a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, commissioner of agriculture and industries, and a sheriff for each county.^[1]

Sec. 113. Supreme executive power vested in Governor.

The supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in a chief magistrate, who shall be styled ‘‘The Governor of the State of Alabama.^[1]

Sec. 114. Governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries — How elected; when election held.

The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries shall be elected by the qualified electors of the state at the same time and places appointed for the election of members of the legislature in the year nineteen hundred and two, and in every fourth year thereafter.^[1]

Sec. 115. Governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries — Returns of election transmitted to speaker of house of representatives; opening and publication of election returns; duties of speaker and legislature ministerial in opening and publication of votes; person having highest number of votes elected; tie votes; contested elections.

The returns of every election for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney- general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries shall be sealed up and transmitted by the returning officers to the seat of government, directed to the speaker of the house of representatives, who shall, during the first week of the session to which such returns shall be made, open and publish them in the presence of both houses of the legislature in joint convention; but the speaker’s duty and the duty of the joint convention shall be purely ministerial. The result of the election shall be ascertained and declared by the speaker from the face of the returns without delay. The person having the highest number of votes for any one of said offices shall be declared duly elected; but if two or more persons shall have an equal and the highest number of votes for the same office, the legislature by joint vote, without delay, shall choose one of said persons for said office. Contested elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney- general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries, shall be determined by both houses of the legislature in such manner as may be prescribed by law.^[1]

Sec. 116. Governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries — Term of office; officers may succeed selves for one additional term.

The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries, shall hold their respective offices for the term of four years from the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January next succeeding their election and until their successors shall be elected and qualified. Each of said officers shall be eligible to succeed himself in office, but no person shall be eligible to succeed himself for more than one additional term. (As amended by Amendment 282.)^[1]

Sec. 117. Qualifications of governor and lieutenant governor; lieu- tenant governor ex officio president of senate.

The governor and lieutenant governor shall each be at least thirty years of age when elected, and shall have been citizens of the United States ten years and resident citizens of this state at least seven years next before the date of their election. The lieutenant governor shall be ex officio president of the senate, but shall have no right to vote except in the event of a tie.^[1]

Sec. 118. Compensation and residency requirements for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries.

The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries, shall receive compensation to be fixed by law, which shall not be increased or diminished during the term for which they shall have been elected, and shall, except the lieutenant governor, reside at the state capital during the time they continue in office, except during epidemics. The compensation of the lieutenant governor shall be the same as that received by the speaker of the house, except while serving as governor, during which time his compensation shall be the same as that allowed the governor.^[1]

Sec. 119. Increase in salary of governor at session of legislature following ratification of Constitution.

If the legislature, at the session next after the ratification of this Constitution, shall enact a law increasing the salary of the governor, such increase shall become effective and apply to the first governor elected after the ratification of this Constitution, if the legislature shall so determine.^[1]

Sec. 120. Governor to faithfully execute laws.

The governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.^[1]

Sec. 121. Governor may require reports from officers of executive department and officers and managers of state institutions; false reports or failure to file reports constitutes impeachable offense.

The governor may require information in writing, under oath, from the officers of the executive department, named in this article, or created by statute, on any subject, relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he may at any time require information in writing, under oath, from all officers and managers of state institutions, upon any subject relating to the condition, management and expenses of their respective offices and institutions. Any such officer or manager who makes a willfully false report or fails without sufficient excuse to make the required report on demand, is guilty of an impeachable offense.^[1]

Sec. 122. Governor authorized to convene legislature on extraordinary occasions; proclamation of governor to state matters on which action necessary.

The governor may, by proclamation, on extraordinary occasions, convene the legislature at the seat of government, or at a different place if, since their last adjournment, that shall have become dangerous from an enemy, insurrection, or other lawless outbreak, or from any infectious or contagious disease; and he shall state specifically in such proclamation each matter concerning which the action of that body is deemed necessary.^[1]

Sec. 123. Reports and information to be given legislature by governor; presentation of budget to legislature.

The governor shall, from time to time, give to the legislature information of the state of the government, and recommend for its consideration such measures as he may deem expedient; and at the commencement of each regular session of the legislature, and at the close of his term of office, he shall give information by written message of the condition of the state; and he shall account to the legislature, as may be prescribed by law, for all moneys received and paid out by him or by his order; and at the commencement of each regular session he shall present to the legislature estimates of the amount of money required to be raised by taxation for all purposes.^[1]

Sec. 124. Authority of governor to grant reprieves and commutations to persons under sentence of death; legislature to regulate administration of pardons, paroles, remission of fines and forfeitures, suspension of sentences and probation; pardon not relief from civil and political disabilities unless specifically provided.

(a)(1) The Governor may grant reprieves and commutations to persons under sentence of death.

(2) The power to grant a reprieve or commutation under subdivision (1) shall not be exercised until the Governor has notified the Attorney General and has made reasonable efforts to notify a designated member of the victim's family, whose mailing address, e-mail, and phone number have been provided to the Governor by the Attorney General for this purpose.

(3) Failure to provide the required notification under subdivision (2) shall void the reprieve or commutation, and the Attorney General may seek a new execution order from the Alabama Supreme Court as provided under existing law.

(b) The Legislature may provide for and regulate the administration of pardons, paroles, remission of fines and forfeitures, and may authorize the courts having criminal jurisdiction to suspend sentence and to order probation.

(c) No pardon shall relieve a person from civil and political disabilities unless specifically expressed in the pardon.^[1]

Sec. 125. Presentation of bills to governor for signature; veto power of governor; procedure for passage of bill after veto by governor; effect of failure of governor to sign bill.

Every bill which shall have passed both houses of the legislature, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, shall be presented to the governor; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the objections at large upon the journal and proceed to reconsider it. If the governor’s message proposes no amendment which would remove his objections to the bill, the house in which the bill originated may proceed to reconsider it, and if a majority of the whole number elected to that house vote for the passage of the bill, it shall be sent to the other house, which shall in like manner reconsider, and if a majority of the whole number elected to that house vote for the passage of the bill, the same shall become a law, notwithstanding the governor’s veto. If the governor’s message proposes amendment, which would remove his objections, the house to which it is sent may so amend the bill and send it with the governor’s message to the other house, which may adopt, but can not amend, said amendment; and both houses concurring in the amendment, the bill shall again be sent to the governor and acted on by him as other bills. If the house to which the bill is returned refuses to make such amendment, it shall proceed to reconsider it; and if a majority of the whole number elected to that house shall vote for the passage of the bill, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by a majority of the whole number elected to that house, it shall become a law. If the house to which the bill is returned makes the amendment, and the other house declines to pass the same, that house shall proceed to reconsider it, as though the bill had originated therein, and such proceedings shall be taken thereon as above provided. In every such case the vote of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for or against the bill shall be entered upon the journals of each house, respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the governor within six days, Sunday excepted, after it shall have been presented, the same shall become a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the legislature, by its adjournment, prevent the return, in which case it shall not be a law; but when return is prevented by recess, such bill must be returned to the house in which it originated within two days after the reassembling, otherwise it shall become a law, but bills presented to the governor within five days before the final adjournment of the legislature may be approved by the governor at any time within ten days after such adjournment, and if approved and deposited with the secretary of state within that time shall become law. Every vote, order, or resolution to which concurrence of both houses may be necessary, except on questions of adjournment and the bringing on of elections by the two houses, and amending this Constitution, shall be presented to the governor; and, before the same shall take effect, be approved by him; or, being disapproved, shall be repassed by both houses according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.^[1]

Sec. 126. Authority of governor to veto items in appropriation bills.

The governor shall have power to approve or disapprove any item or items of any appropriation bill embracing distinct items, and the part or the parts of the bill approved shall be the law, and the item or items disapproved shall be void, unless repassed according to the rules and limitations prescribed for the passage of bills over the executive veto; and he shall in writing state specifically the item or items he disapproves, setting the same out in full in his message, but in such case the enrolled bill shall not be returned with the governor’s objection.^[1]

Sec. 127. Succession to office of governor; filling of vacancy when offices of governor and lieutenant governor both vacant; procedure when governor or successor impeached, ab- sent from state, disabled, etc.; failure of governor-elect, lieutenant governor-elect, etc., to qualify.

In case of the governor’s removal from office, death or resignation, the lieutenant governor shall become governor. If both the governor and lieutenant governor be removed from office, die or resign more than sixty days prior to the next general election, at which any state officers are to be elected, a governor and lieutenant governor shall be elected at such election for the unexpired term, and in the event of a vacancy in the office, caused by the removal from office, death or resignation of the governor and lieutenant governor, pending such vacancy and until their successors shall be elected and qualified, the office of governor shall be held and administered by either the president pro tem. of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, or state treasurer in the order herein named. In case of the impeachment of the governor, his absence from the state for more than twenty days, unsoundness of mind, or other disability, the power and authority of the office shall, until the governor is acquitted, returns to the state, or is restored to his mind, or relieved from other disability, devolve in the order herein named, upon the lieutenant governor, president pro tem. of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, and state treasurer. If any of these officers be under any of the disabilities herein specified, the office of the governor shall be administered in the order named by such of these officers as may be free from such disability. If the governor shall be absent from the state over twenty days, the secretary of state shall notify the lieutenant governor, who shall enter upon the duties of governor; if both the governor and lieutenant governor shall be absent from the state over twenty days, the secretary of state shall notify the president pro tem. of the senate, who shall enter upon the duties of governor, and so on, in case of such absence, he shall notify each of the other officers named in their order, who shall discharge the duties of the office until the governor or other officer entitled to administer the office in succession to the governor returns. If the governor-elect fail or refuse from any cause to qualify, the lieutenant governor- elect shall qualify and exercise the duties of governor until the governor- elect qualifies; and in the event both the governor-elect and the lieutenant governor- elect from any cause fail to qualify, the president pro tem. of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, and state treasurer, shall, in like manner, in the order named, administer the office until the governor-elect or lieutenant governor- elect qualifies.^[1]

Sec. 128. Procedure when governor or acting governor appears to be of unsound mind.

If the governor or other officer administering the office shall appear to be of unsound mind, it shall be the duty of the supreme court of Alabama, at any regular term, or at any special term, which it is hereby authorized to call for that purpose, upon request in writing, verified by their affidavits, of any two of the officers named in section 127 of this Constitution, not next in succession to the office of governor, to ascertain the mental condition of the governor or other officer administering the office, and if he is adjudged to be of unsound mind, to so decree, a copy of which decree, duly certified, shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state; and in the event of such adjudication, it shall be the duty of the officer next in succession to perform the duties of the office until the governor or other officer administering the office is restored to his mind. If the incumbent denies that the governor or other person entitled to administer the office has been restored to his mind, the supreme court, at the instance of any officer named in section 127 of this Constitution, shall ascertain the truth concerning the same, and if the officer has been restored to his mind, shall so adjudge and file a duly certified copy of its decree with the secretary of state; and in the event of such adjudication, the office shall be restored to him. The supreme court shall prescribe the method of taking testimony and the rules of practice in such proceedings, which rules shall include a provision for the service of notice of such proceedings on the governor or person acting as governor.^[1]

Sec. 129. Compensation of acting governor.

The lieutenant governor, president pro tem. of the senate, speaker of the house, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, or state treasurer, while administering the office of governor, shall receive like compensation as that prescribed by law for the governor, and no other.^[1]

Sec. 130. Holding office in addition to that of governor.

No person shall, at the same time, hold the office of governor and any other office, civil or military, under this state, or the United States, or any other state or government, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution.^[1]

Sec. 131. Military powers of governor.

The governor shall be commander-in-chief of the militia and volunteer forces of this state, except when they shall be called into the service of the United States, and he may call out the same to execute the laws, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion, but need not command in person unless directed to do so by resolution of the legislature; and when acting in the service of the United States, he shall appoint his staff, and the legislature shall fix his rank.^[1]

Sec. 132. Qualifications of attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries.

No person shall be eligible to the office of attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, or commissioner of agriculture and industries unless he shall have been a citizen of the United States at least seven years, and shall have resided in this state at least five years next preceding his election, and shall be at least twenty-five years old when elected.^[1]

Sec. 133. Great seal of state.

There shall be a seal of the state, which shall be used officially by the governor, and the seal now in use shall continue to be used until another shall have been adopted by the legislature. The seal shall be called ‘‘The Great Seal of the State of Alabama.’’^[1]

Sec. 134. Duties of secretary of state generally.

The secretary of state shall be the custodian of the great seal of the state, and shall authenticate therewith all official acts of the governor, except his approval of laws, resolutions, appointments to office, and administrative orders. He shall keep a register of the official acts of the governor, and when necessary, shall attest them, and lay copies of same together with copies of all papers relative thereto, before either house of the legislature, when required to do so, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law.^[1]

Sec. 135. Issuance and execution of grants and commissions.

All grants and commissions shall be issued in the name and by the authority of the state of Alabama, sealed with the great seal of the state, signed by the governor and countersigned by the secretary of state.^[1]

Sec. 136. Vacancy in office or unsoundness of mind of attorney- general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, or commissioner of agriculture and industries.

Should the office of attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, or commissioner of agriculture and industries become vacant from any cause, the governor shall fill such vacancy until the disability is removed or a successor elected and qualified. In case any of said officers shall become of unsound mind, such unsoundness shall be ascertained by the supreme court upon the suggestion of the governor.^[1]

Sec. 137. Duties generally and restrictions on receipt of fees, etc., by attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries; annual reports by state treasurer and state auditor; attorney general may be required to defend suits against state, political subdivisions, officers, etc.

The attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by law. The state treasurer and state auditor shall, every year, at a time fixed by the legislature, make a full and complete report to the governor, showing the receipts and disbursements of every character, all claims audited and paid out, by items, and all taxes and revenues collected and if paid into the treasury, and the sources thereof. They shall make reports oftener upon any matters pertaining to their offices, if required by the governor or the legislature. The attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and commissioner of agriculture and industries shall not receive to their use any fees, costs, perquisites of office or other compensation than the salaries prescribed by law, and all fees that may be payable for any services performed by such officers shall be at once paid into the state treasury. The legislature may require the attorney general to defend any or all suits brought against the state, or any subdivision thereof, or against any state school board or state board of education, or against any county or city school board or board of education, or against like boards or commissions by whatever name designated, or against any members, officers or employees of any such boards, or against any school official or employee throughout Alabama.^[1]

Sec. 138. Election and term of office of sheriffs; sheriff eligible to succeed self; impeachment of sheriff; effect of impeachment of sheriff.

A sheriff shall be elected in each county by the qualified electors thereof who shall hold office for a term of four years unless sooner removed, and he shall be eligible to such office as his own successor. Whenever any prisoner is taken from jail, or from the custody of any sheriff or his deputy, and put to death, or suffers grevious [grievous] bodily harm, owing to the neglect, connivance, cowardice, or other grave fault of the sheriff, such sheriff may be impeached, under section 174 of this Constitution. If the sheriff be impeached, and thereupon convicted, he shall not be eligible to hold any office in this state during the time for which he had been elected or appointed to serve as sheriff.^[1]

Sec. 138.01. Appointments and promotions in civil service.

A. Appointments and promotions in the civil service of this state shall be made according to merit, fitness and efficiency, to be determined, so far as practicable, by examination, which, so far as practicable, shall be competitive under such laws as the legislature may enact.

B. It shall be the duty of the legislature to maintain laws necessary to implement, and to provide adequate financial support for, a positive program of personnel management in the state service.

C. All state personnel laws now in effect that are not in conflict with this article shall continue in effect until they are amended or repealed as provided by law. Civil service status acquired by employees under existing statutes shall not be affected by the provisions of this article.^[1]

Sec. 138.02. Conveyance of Alabama State Docks Department property.

(a) The state of Alabama, through the Alabama state docks department, is authorized to convey, without consideration, title to its real property, equipment and facilities located in Lauderdale county, Alabama, and known as the Alabama State Docks to the Florence–Lauderdale County Port Authority, a public corporation, but subject to existing leases and other contractual agreements now in effect. Any laws or parts of laws or any provisions of the Constitution of 1901, as amended, which are in conflict with this amendment are hereby revised, superseded and repealed to the extent they are in conflict with this amendment.

(b) The state of Alabama, through the Alabama state docks department, is authorized to convey, without consideration, title to its real property, equipment and facilities located in Morgan county, Alabama, and known as the Alabama State Docks to the Decatur–Morgan County Port Authority, a public corporation, and in Walker county, Alabama, known as the State Docks in Cordova in Walker county to the Walker county commission, but subject to existing leases and other contractual agreements now in effect. Any laws or parts of laws or any provisions of the Constitution of 1901, as amended, which are in conflict with this amendment are hereby revised, superseded and repealed to the extent they are in conflict with this amendment. The provisions herein shall be self-executing.

(c) The State of Alabama, through the Alabama State Docks Department, may convey, without consideration, title to its real property, equipment, and facilities located in Madison County, Alabama, and known as the Alabama State Docks, to the Huntsville–Madison County Marina and Port Authority, a public corporation. The conveyance shall be subject to existing leases and other contractual agreements now in effect. Any laws or parts of laws, or any provisions of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, are revised, superseded, and repealed to the extent they are in conflict with this amendment.^[1]

Sec. 138.03. Use of Assets of State Retirement Systems.

All of the assets, proceeds or income of the teachers’, employees’, state police, public and judicial retirement systems of Alabama, or any successor systems thereto, and all contributions and payments made to such systems to provide for retirement and related benefits thereunder, shall be held, invested as authorized by law, or disbursed as in trust for the exclusive purpose of providing for such benefits, refunds and administrative expenses under the management of the boards of control of the aforementioned retirement systems; and, none of such assets, proceeds, income, contributions or payments shall be used, loaned, encumbered or diverted to or for any other purpose whatsoever.^[1]

Sec. 138.04. Health care benefits for retired state and education employees.

All of the assets, proceeds, and income of the Alabama Retired State Employees’ Health Care Trust and the Alabama Retired Education Employees’ Health Care Trust, or any successor or assignee of the trust, and all contributions and payments made to the trustees of the trusts, shall be held, invested as authorized by law, and disbursed for the exclusive purposes of providing for administrative expenses of the respective trust and health care benefits under the management of the trustees of the respective trust in accordance with the terms of its trust agreement. None of the assets, proceeds, income, contributions, or payments shall be used, loaned, encumbered, or diverted to or for any other purpose whatsoever, except, that (a) a trust may be terminated, if the State has no obligation to provide post- employment health care benefits for which the trust was established to such persons, and, in that event, the remaining assets of the trust shall revert to the State Treasury to and for the credit of the State Employees’ Insurance Board, the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Board, or its successor or assign, as the case may be, related to the terminated trust or (b) if in response to a petition of the trustees of a trust requesting that the respective trust agreement be amended, a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the amendment proposed by the trustees is necessary or otherwise advisable to accomplish one or more purposes of the act authorizing and directing the creation of the trusts.^[1]