AL HB522

Requires the Clerk of the Alabama House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to establish procedures to implement and maintain a legislative record concerning matters related to the legislative process.

Legislative record shall include verbatim copies of committee meetings, committee reports and votes, floor debates, public hearing discussions, and individual member statements explaining their votes or actions.

Record may be formatted as part of the journal, a separate publication, or in digital/computer form, similar to the U.S. Congressional Record.

Clerk and secretary must consider cost effectiveness, accessibility, usefulness, accuracy, and historical preservation purposes when establishing the legislative record.

Clerk and secretary shall compile, index, and publish the legislative record within a reasonable time after each legislative session ends, and may charge reasonable fees with proceeds used to defray publication costs.

Act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.