HB198 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 29-4-1 to change the Legislature's regular session meeting dates beginning in 2017, with sessions commencing on the last Tuesday in January of the first year of legislators' terms.

• Reduces the length of regular sessions from 30 to 20 legislative days and from 105 to 70 calendar days.

• Establishes a separate fiscal session beginning on the fourth Tuesday in April, limited to 10 legislative days and 30 calendar days, for consideration of appropriations bills only.

• Prohibits appropriations bills from being considered during regular sessions.

• Effectiveness is contingent upon passage and statewide referendum approval of a related constitutional amendment establishing biennial budgeting for the state.