Alabama Constitution Section 45 - Style of laws; division of laws; laws restricted to one subject; amendment or revival of laws by title only.
Alabama Constitution – Section 45: Style and Structure of Laws
Full Title:
Section 45 – Style of laws; division of laws; laws restricted to one subject; amendment or revival of laws by title only.
Official Text:
"The style of the laws of this state shall be: 'Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama.' Each law shall contain but one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title, except general appropriation bills, general revenue bills, and bills adopting a code, digest, or revision of statutes. No law shall be revived, amended, or the provisions thereof extended or conferred by reference to its title only, but so much thereof as is revived, amended, extended, or conferred shall be re-enacted and published at length."
Summary & Key Points:
Style of Laws:
Every law must begin with the phrase:
"Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama."
Single Subject Rule:
Each law must deal with only one subject, and that subject must be clearly stated in the title.
Exceptions: This rule does not apply to:
General appropriation bills
General revenue bills
Bills adopting a legal code, digest, or revision of laws
Amendment and Revival Restrictions:
A law cannot be amended, revived, or changed by simply referring to its title.
Instead, any changes must reprint and publish the full amended section of the law, so its content is clearly visible and accessible.
Purpose:
To prevent hidden provisions or misleading bill titles.
To ensure transparency and clarity in the legislative process.
To stop lawmakers from sneaking unrelated or confusing content into a bill.
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