AL HB319

Amends Alabama Code Sections 17-16-2, 17-16-2.1, and 17-16-4 to provide more adequate reimbursement of county election expenses and restructure the Election Expense Reimbursement Committee.

Expands definition of reimbursable election expenses to include compensation for election officials, temporary workers, overtime costs, equipment programming and testing, ballots, supplies, absentee election materials, and voter list preparation.

Requires the Comptroller to provide written explanations for denied expense reimbursement requests and grants automatic appeals to the Board of Adjustment unless counties waive appeal rights in writing.

Establishes the Election Expense Reimbursement Reform Committee with members from legislative leadership, Secretary of State, Director of Finance, and chairs of relevant legislative committees to evaluate election expenditures and recommend cost-effective measures.

Committee must meet at least 90 days before primary elections to approve reimbursable expense lists, with recommendations presented to legislative leaders and Governor no later than 45 days before the 2013 legislative session.