Alabama Constitution Section 57 - Doors of each house to be open; exceptions; restrictions on admittance to floor.
Alabama Constitution – Section 57: Doors of Each House to Be Open; Exceptions; Restrictions on Admittance to Floor
📜 Full Text of Section 57:
"The doors of each house shall be open, except on such occasions as, in the opinion of the house, may require secrecy. Neither house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which they may be sitting, without such consent. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same, except such parts as may, in the opinion of the house, require secrecy. The yeas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the desire of one-tenth of the members present, be entered on the journal. Any member of either house shall have liberty to dissent from or protest against any act or resolution which he may think injurious to the public or to any individual, and have the reasons for his dissent entered on the journal."
(Note: This is often combined in references with the broader legislative procedure sections; some official versions may present parts of this in adjacent sections.)
🧠 Explanation and Key Points:
Transparency of Legislative Sessions:
General Rule: Sessions of both legislative houses (Senate and House of Representatives) must be open to the public.
Exception: They may be closed (secret sessions) only when necessary, and as determined by that specific house.
Secrecy Exception:
A house can decide to hold a closed session, but this must be based on a judgment that secrecy is required—usually in sensitive matters like security or legal investigations.
Restrictions on Floor Access:
While not detailed fully in this section’s wording, access to the floor of the legislative chambers (where lawmakers sit and debate) is typically restricted to members, officers, and those expressly allowed by the rules of each house.
This protects the integrity and order of legislative proceedings.
🏛️ Purpose and Impact:
Promotes open government and public accountability.
Balances transparency with the need for confidentiality in exceptional circumstances.
Reinforces that legislative conduct should generally be visible to citizens.
Prevents abuse of secrecy while allowing necessary flexibility.
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