HB209 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Alabama citizens to initiate enactment of general laws and constitutional amendments through a petition and ballot process, subject to the same limitations as the Legislature.

• Requires initial filing with Secretary of State of a proposal summary, preliminary petition signed by at least 1,000 qualified Alabama voters, and $1,000 filing fee (refundable if adopted).

• Final petition for general laws requires signatures equal to at least 7% of votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial election, with minimum 1% from each congressional district; constitutional amendments require 10% statewide with minimum 1.3% per district.

• Legislature may propose an alternative to any initiative proposal, with both measures placed on the ballot at the first statewide election held 90 or more days after adjournment; the measure receiving the most affirmative votes prevails if both pass.

• Laws adopted by initiative cannot be repealed or amended except by another popular vote, and identical failed initiatives cannot be resubmitted within two years.