HB420 Summary

• Amends Section 17-16-2 of the Alabama Code to clarify that advertising, media, telephone, computer, and communications operations expenses are reimbursable state election expenses for counties recognizing Mardi Gras as a county holiday when the presidential preference primary falls on Mardi Gras day.

• Establishes that counties may spend up to $25,000 for telephone, computer, and communications operations and up to $100,000 for advertising and media expenses to implement early voting and absentee voting provisions under Section 17-13-100.

• Makes the reimbursable expense provisions retroactive to the February 8, 2008 presidential preference primary election, addressing the state Comptroller's previous denial of Mobile County's reimbursement claims for such expenses.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor, with conflicting laws repealed.