AL HB471

Proposes a constitutional amendment to Section 127 of the Alabama Constitution of 2022 requiring a special election to fill a vacant Lieutenant Governor position if the vacancy occurs more than 60 days before a general election

Currently, if only the Lieutenant Governor position becomes vacant (while the Governor remains in office), there is no mechanism to fill the position until the next regular election cycle

Maintains existing succession rules: if the Governor's office becomes vacant, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor; if both offices are vacant, the line of succession includes President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, State Auditor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer

Requires voter approval through a statewide ballot referendum in accordance with Sections 284 and 285 of the Alabama Constitution of 2022

Sponsored by Representatives Mooney, Bolton, Easterbrook, Fincher, Starnes, and Stubbs; referred to State Government Committee with first reading on February 17, 2026