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{{Short description|Upper house of the Alabama legislature}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2014}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
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| house_type = Upper house
| house_type = Upper house
| term_limits = None
| term_limits = None
| new_session = January 9, 2018
| new_session = March 7, 2023
| leader1_type = [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama|President]]
| leader1_type = [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama|President]]
| leader1 = [[Will Ainsworth]]
| leader1 = [[Will Ainsworth]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
| party1 = ([[Alabama Republican Party|R]])
| election1 = January 14, 2019
| election1 = January 14, 2019
| leader2_type = President pro Tempore
| leader2_type = President pro tempore
| leader2 = [[Greg Reed]]
| leader2 = [[Greg Reed]] (R)
| party2 = ([[Alabama Republican Party|R]])
| election2 = February 2, 2021
| election2 = February 2, 2021
| leader3_type = Majority Leader
| leader3_type = Majority Leader
| leader3 = [[Clay Scofield]]
| leader3 = [[Steve Livingston]] (R)
| party3 = ([[Alabama Republican Party|R]])
| election3 = October 30, 2023
| election3 = February 2, 2021
| leader4_type = Minority Leader
| leader4_type = Minority Leader
| leader4 = [[Bobby Singleton]]
| leader4 = [[Bobby Singleton]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| party4 = ([[Alabama Democratic Party|D]])
| election4 = January 8, 2019
| election4 = January 8, 2019
| term_length = 4 years
| term_length = 4 years
| authority = Article IV, [[Alabama Constitution]]
| authority = Article IV, [[Alabama Constitution]]
| salary = $42,830/yr <ref>http://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/Documents/legismgt/2016_Leg_Comp_Session_Per%20Diem_Mileage.pdf</ref>
| salary = $53,913/yr <ref>{{cite web |url=https://alison-file.legislature.state.al.us/pdfdocs/lsa/Fiscal/BudgetFactBook/2023_Budget_Fact_Book.pdf|title=Budget Fact Book
| date=2023-01-04 |website=The Alabama Legislature | access-date=2023-07-07}}
</ref>
| members = 35
| members = 35
| structure1 = Alabama State Senate Composition.svg
| structure1 = Alabama State Senate Composition 2023.svg
| structure1_res = 250px
| structure1_res = 250px
| political_groups1 =
| political_groups1 =
'''Governing party'''
'''Majority'''
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}} [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]] (27)}}
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}} [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]] (27)}}
'''Opposition'''
'''Minority'''
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#0000ff|border=darkgray}} [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democratic]] (8)}}
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#0000ff|border=darkgray}} [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democratic]] (8)}}
| voting_system1 = [[First-past-the-post]]
| voting_system1 = [[First-past-the-post]]
| last_election1 = [[Alabama State Senate elections, 2018|November 6, 2018]]<br />(35 seats)
| last_election1 = [[2022 Alabama Senate election|November 8, 2022]]<br />(35 seats)
| next_election1 = November 8, 2022<br />(35 seats)
| next_election1 = [[2026 Alabama Senate election|November 3, 2026]]<br />(35 seats)
| redistricting = Legislative Control
| redistricting = Legislative Control
| meeting_place = State Senate Chamber<br />[[Alabama State Capitol]]<br />[[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]], Alabama
| meeting_place = State Senate Chamber<br />[[Alabama State House]]<br />[[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]], Alabama
| website = [http://www.legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/ISD/Splash_Senate.aspx Alabama State Senate]
| website = [https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/senate Alabama State Senate]
|rules=[https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/senate/Senate_Rules_2023.pdf Rules of the Alabama State Senate]}}
}}
⚫
The '''Alabama State Senate''' is the [[upper house]] of the [[Alabama Legislature]], the [[state legislature (United States)|state legislature]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]]. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens. Similar to the [[lower house]], the [[Alabama House of Representatives]], the senate serves both without [[term limits]] and with a four-year term.


⚫
The Alabama State Senate meets at the [[Alabama State House|State House]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]].
⚫
The '''Alabama State Senate''' is the [[upper house]] of the [[Alabama Legislature]], the [[state legislature (United States)|state legislature]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alabama]]. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens. Similar to the [[lower house]], the [[Alabama House of Representatives]], the Senate serves both without [[term limits]] and with a four-year term.


⚫
Like other [[upper house]]s of [[State legislature (United States)|state]] and territorial legislatures and the [[United States Senate]], the senate can confirm or reject [[Governor of Alabama|gubernatorial]] appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.
⚫
The Alabama Senate meets at the [[Alabama State House|State House]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]].

⚫
Like other [[upper house]]s of [[State legislature (United States)|state]] and territorial legislatures and the [[United States Senate]], the Senate can confirm or reject [[Governor of Alabama|gubernatorial]] appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.


==Assembly powers==
==Assembly powers==
While the House of Representatives has exclusive power to originate revenue bills, such legislation can be amended and/or substituted by the Senate. Moreover, because the Senate is considered to be the "deliberative body", rules concerning the length of the debate are more liberal than those of the House of Representatives.
While the House of Representatives has exclusive power to originate revenue bills, such legislation can be amended and/or substituted by the senate. Moreover, because the senate is considered to be the "deliberative body", rules concerning the length of the debate are more liberal than those of the House of Representatives.


Like the [[United States Senate]], the Alabama Senate has the sole power of Confirmation of certain appointees designated by the Constitution and by statute. The legislative antecedent of this role is a similar power that was vested in the [[Roman Senate]] during the Roman [[Republic]].
Like the [[United States Senate]], the Alabama State Senate has the sole power of Confirmation of certain appointees designated by the Constitution and by statute. The legislative antecedent of this role is a similar power that was vested in the [[Roman Senate]] during the Roman [[Republic]].


==Membership guidelines==
==Membership guidelines==
The Alabama Senate is composed of 35 state senators, in keeping with Article IV, Section 50, of the [[Alabama Constitution]], which limits the [[Alabama House of Representatives]] to 105 members, and the Senate to 35; together with Article IX, Sections 197 and 198, which requires that membership in the state senate consist of not less than one-fourth, nor more than one-third, of the total membership of the state House of Representatives. Additional representation is authorized in the event of the creation of new counties. Thus, the Alabama Senate is precisely one-third the size of the House of Representatives, and each state senator represents a district of approximately 125,000 Alabamians.
The Alabama State Senate is composed of 35 state senators, in keeping with Article IV, Section 50, of the [[Alabama Constitution]], which limits the [[Alabama House of Representatives]] to 105 members, and the senate to 35; together with Article IX, Sections 197 and 198, which requires that membership in the state senate consist of not less than one-fourth, nor more than one-third, of the total membership of the state House of Representatives. Additional representation is authorized in the event of the creation of new counties. Thus, the Alabama State Senate is precisely one-third the size of the House of Representatives, and each state senator represents a district of approximately 125,000 Alabamians.


Under Article IV, Section 47 of the Constitution, Senators must be at least 25 years of age at the time of their election, must be citizens and residents of the state of Alabama for at least 3 years, and reside within their district for at least one year prior to election.
Under Article IV, Section 47 of the Constitution, Senators must be at least 25 years of age at the time of their election, must be citizens and residents of the state of Alabama for at least 3 years, and reside within their district for at least one year prior to election.
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{| style="width:50%"
{| style="width:50%"
⚫
|-
| scope="row" colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | {{Down-arrow|alt=Midpoint}}
|-
|-
| scope="row" style="background:#F33; width:76%; text-align:center; color:white" | '''27'''
| scope="row" style="background:#F33; width:76%; text-align:center; color:white" | '''27'''
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|}
|}


{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center; width:50%"
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
!rowspan=3|Affiliation
!rowspan=3|Affiliation
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!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|November 7, 2018
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|November 7, 2018
|{{party shading/Republican}}|27
|{{party shading/Republican}}|27
| 8
| rowspan=5|8
! 35
! 35
| 0
| 0
Line 99: Line 99:
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|December 7, 2020
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|December 7, 2020
|{{party shading/Republican}}|26
|{{party shading/Republican}}|26
⚫
| 8
! 34
! 34
| 1
| 1
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!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|July 14, 2021
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|July 14, 2021
|{{party shading/Republican}}|27
|{{party shading/Republican}}|27
| 8
! 35
⚫
| 0
⚫
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|October 30, 2023
|{{party shading/Republican}}|26
! 34
| 1
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|January 23, 2024
|{{party shading/Republican}}|27
! 35
! 35
| 0
| 0
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!{{party shading/Republican}}|{{percentage|27|35|0}}
!{{party shading/Republican}}|{{percentage|27|35|0}}
!{{percentage|8|35|0}}
!{{percentage|8|35|0}}
! colspan="2" |
!{{percentage|35|35|0}}
!{{percentage|0|35|0}}
|}
|}


==Senate Leadership==
==Senate leadership==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%"
|-
|-
! scope="col" colspan="2" width="220"| Position
! colspan=2| Position
! Name
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" width="70" | Party
! Party
! scope="col" width="180" | District
! District
|-
|-
{{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[List of lieutenant governors of Alabama|President]]
| [[List of lieutenant governors of Alabama|President]]
| [[Will Ainsworth]]
| [[Will Ainsworth]]
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| Statewide
| Statewide
|-
|-
{{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| President pro tempore
| President pro tempore
| [[Greg Reed]]
| [[Greg Reed]]
| [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]]
| [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]]
| [[Alabama's 5th Senate district|5th]]–[[Jasper, Alabama|Jasper]]
| 5th–Jasper
|-
|-
| scope="row" colspan="2" | Secretary of the Senate
| scope="row" colspan="2" | Secretary of the senate
| colspan="3" | D. Patrick Harris
| colspan="3" | D. Patrick Harris
|}
|}
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{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%"
|-
|-
! scope="col" colspan="2" width="220"| Position
! colspan=2| Position
! Name
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" width="70" | Party
! Party
! scope="col" width="180" | District
! District
|-
|-
{{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| Senate Majority Leader
| Senate Majority Leader in Alabama State Senate
| Steve Livingston
| [[Clay Scofield]]
| [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]]
| [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]]
| [[Alabama's 8th Senate district|8th]]–[[Scottsboro, Alabama|Scottsboro]]
| 7th–Guntersville
|-
|-
{{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| Senate Majority Vice Leader in Alabama State Senate
| Rules Chairman
| Clyde Chambliss
| [[J. T. Waggoner]]
| [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]]
| 16th–Vestavia Hills
⚫
|-
{{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| Education Budget Chair
| [[Arthur Orr]]
| [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]]
| 5th–Decatur
⚫
|-
{{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| Finance & Taxation General Fund Chairman
| [[Greg Albritton]]
| [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]]
| [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]]
| [[Alabama's 30th Senate district|30th]]–[[Prattville, Alabama|Prattville]]
| 22nd–Atmore
|}
|}


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{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%"
|-
|-
! scope="col" colspan="2" width="220"| Position
! colspan=2| Position
! Name
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" width="70" | Party
! Party
! scope="col" width="180" | District
! District
|-
|-
{{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| Senate Minority Leader
| Minority Leader in Alabama State Senate
| [[Bobby Singleton]]
| Bobby Singleton
| [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democratic]]
| [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democratic]]
| [[Alabama's 24th Senate district|24th]]–[[Greensboro, Alabama|Greensboro]]
| 24th–Greensboro
|-
|-
{{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| Deputy Minority Leader
| Minority Vice Leader in Alabama State Senate
| Rodger Smitherman
| [[Billy Beasley]]
| [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democratic]]
| [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democratic]]
| [[Alabama's 18th Senate district|18th]]–[[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]
| 28th–Clayton
|-
|-
{{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| Minority Caucus Chair
| Minority Democratic Caucus Chair in Alabama State Senate
| [[Linda Coleman-Madison]]
| [[Linda Coleman-Madison]]
| [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democratic]]
| [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democratic]]
| [[Alabama's 20th Senate district|20th]]–[[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]
| 20th–Birmingham
|}
|}


==List of State Senators==
==List of state senators==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! District
! District
! Senator
! Senator
! Political Party
! Political party
! Hometown
! Hometown
! First elected
! First elected
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|-
|-
| [[Alabama's 9th Senate district|9]]
| [[Alabama's 9th Senate district|9]]
| [[Clay Scofield]]
| [[Wes Kitchens]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[Arab, Alabama|Arab]]
| [[Arab, Alabama|Arab]]
| 2024 (special)
| 2010
| [[Blount County, Alabama|Blount]], DeKalb, Madison, [[Marshall County, Alabama|Marshall]]
| [[Blount County, Alabama|Blount]], DeKalb, Madison, [[Marshall County, Alabama|Marshall]]
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| [[Alabama's 11th Senate district|11]]
| [[Alabama's 11th Senate district|11]]
| [[Jim McClendon]]
| [[Lance Bell]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[Springville, Alabama|Springville]]
| [[Pell City, Alabama|Pell City]]
| 2014
| 2022
| [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby]], St. Clair, [[Talladega County, Alabama|Talladega]]
| [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby]], St. Clair, [[Talladega County, Alabama|Talladega]]
|-
|-
| [[Alabama's 12th Senate district|12]]
| [[Alabama's 12th Senate district|12]]
| [[Keith Kelley (politician)|Keith Kelley]]
| [[Del Marsh]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[Anniston, Alabama|Anniston]]
| [[Anniston, Alabama|Anniston]]
| 1998
| 2022
| [[Calhoun County, Alabama|Calhoun]], [[Talladega County, Alabama|Talladega]]
| [[Calhoun County, Alabama|Calhoun]], [[Talladega County, Alabama|Talladega]]
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| [[Alabama's 19th Senate district|19]]
| [[Alabama's 19th Senate district|19]]
| [[Priscilla Dunn]]
| [[Merika Coleman]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| Birmingham
| [[Bessemer, Alabama|Bessemer]]
| 2009
| 2022
| Jefferson
| Jefferson
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| [[Alabama's 23rd Senate district|23]]
| [[Alabama's 23rd Senate district|23]]
| [[Robert Stewart (Alabama politician)|Robert Stewart]]
| [[Malika Sanders-Fortier]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[Selma, Alabama|Selma]]
| [[Selma, Alabama|Selma]]
| 2018
| 2022
| [[Butler County, Alabama|Butler]], Conecuh, [[Dallas County, Alabama|Dallas]], [[Lowndes County, Alabama|Lowndes]], [[Marengo County, Alabama|Marengo]], Monroe, [[Perry County, Alabama|Perry]], [[Wilcox County, Alabama|Wilcox]]
| [[Butler County, Alabama|Butler]], Conecuh, [[Dallas County, Alabama|Dallas]], [[Lowndes County, Alabama|Lowndes]], [[Marengo County, Alabama|Marengo]], Monroe, [[Perry County, Alabama|Perry]], [[Wilcox County, Alabama|Wilcox]]
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| [[Alabama's 27th Senate district|27]]
| [[Alabama's 27th Senate district|27]]
| [[Tom Whatley]]
| [[Jay Hovey]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[Auburn, Alabama|Auburn]]
| [[Auburn, Alabama|Auburn]]
| 2010
| 2022
| Lee, [[Russell County, Alabama|Russell]], [[Tallapoosa County, Alabama|Tallapoosa]]
| Lee, [[Russell County, Alabama|Russell]], [[Tallapoosa County, Alabama|Tallapoosa]]
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| [[Alabama's 31st Senate district|31]]
| [[Alabama's 31st Senate district|31]]
| [[Jimmy Holley]]
| [[Josh Carnley]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[Elba, Alabama|Elba]]
| [[Ino, Alabama|Ino]]
| 1998
| 2022
| [[Coffee County, Alabama|Coffee]], [[Covington County, Alabama|Covington]], Dale, [[Pike County, Alabama|Pike]]
| [[Coffee County, Alabama|Coffee]], [[Covington County, Alabama|Covington]], Dale, [[Pike County, Alabama|Pike]]
|-
|-
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|}
|}


== Past composition of the Senate ==
== Past composition of the senate ==
Throughout most of the state's history, the Democratic Party controlled the Alabama State Senate from the time of admission to the Union in 1819 with a few brief exceptions. The [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig Party]] had a majority in the State Senate in 1837 and again from 1850 to 1851. Following the Civil War and the state's readmission to the Union, the chamber had a Republican majority during the Reconstruction period from 1868 to 1874. This was followed by 136 consecutive years of Democratic majorities. Beginning with the 2010 election [[Alabama Republican Party|Republicans]] captured a substantial majority in the chamber and have held it in the two elections since in 2014 and 2018.
Throughout most of the state's history, the Democratic Party controlled the Alabama State Senate from the time of admission to the Union in 1819 with a few brief exceptions. The [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig Party]] had a majority in the State Senate in 1837 and again from 1850 to 1851. Following the Civil War and the state's readmission to the Union, the chamber had a Republican majority during the Reconstruction period from 1868 to 1874. This was followed by 136 consecutive years of Democratic majorities. Beginning with the 2010 election [[Alabama Republican Party|Republicans]] captured a substantial majority in the chamber and have held it in the two elections since in 2014 and 2018.


The first African-American to serve in the Alabama Senate was Benjamin F. Royal, a Republican from Bullock County, who served from 1868 to 1875.<ref>Bailey, Neither Carpetbaggers nor Scalawags (1991)</ref> The election of 1983 produced the first female senators in Alabama history as Republican [[Ann Bedsole]] (1983-1995) and Democrat [[Frances Strong|Frances "Sister" Strong]] (1983-1986) won office.
The first African-American to serve in the Alabama State Senate was Benjamin F. Royal, a Republican from Bullock County, who served from 1868 to 1875.<ref>Bailey, Neither Carpetbaggers nor Scalawags (1991)</ref> The election of 1983 produced the first female senators in Alabama history as Republican [[Ann Bedsole]] (1983-1995) and Democrat [[Frances Strong|Frances "Sister" Strong]] (1983-1986) won office.


{{main|Elections in Alabama#Summary of elections}}
{{main|Elections in Alabama#Summary of elections}}


==Leadership of the Senate==
==Leadership of the senate==
The [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama]] serves as the [[President of the Senate]], but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the [[President Pro Tempore]] presides over the Senate. The [[President Pro Tempore]] is elected by the full Senate by nominations taken from the floor, followed by a recorded vote. The [[President Pro Tempore]] is the chief leadership position in the Senate. The other Senate [[Majority Leader|Majority]] and [[Minority Leader|Minority]] leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.
The [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama|lieutenant governor of Alabama]] serves as the p[[President of the Senate|resident of the senate]], but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the [[President Pro Tempore|president pro tempore]] presides over the senate. The [[President Pro Tempore|president pro tempore]] is elected by the full Senate by nominations taken from the floor, followed by a recorded vote. The [[President Pro Tempore|president pro tempore]] is the chief leadership position in the senate. The other Senate [[Majority Leader|Majority]] and [[Minority Leader|Minority]] leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.


The President of the Senate is the [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama|Lieutenant Governor]], which is currently [[Will Ainsworth]]. The [[President Pro Tempore]] is [[Del Marsh]]. The [[Majority Leader]] is [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]] [[Greg Reed]] and the [[Minority Leader]] is [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democrat]] Bobby Singleton.
The president of the senate is the [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama|lieutenant governor]], which is currently [[Will Ainsworth]]. The [[president pro tempore]] is [[Greg Reed]]. The [[majority leader]] is [[Alabama Republican Party|Republican]] [[Steve Livingston]] and the [[minority leader]] is [[Alabama Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Bobby Singleton]].


===Committees===
===Committees===
Current committees include:<ref name="OpenStates">
Current committees include:<ref name="OpenStates">
{{cite web |url=http://openstates.org/al/committees/?chamber=upper |title=Alabama Senate Committees
{{cite web |url=http://openstates.org/al/committees/?chamber=upper |title=Alabama State Senate Committees
| date=2014-04-09 |website=Open States |publisher=[[Sunlight Foundation]] | access-date=2014-04-09}}
| date=2014-04-09 |website=Open States |publisher=[[Sunlight Foundation]] | access-date=2014-04-09}}
</ref>
</ref>
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==See also==
==See also==
* [[Government of Alabama]]
* [[Government of Alabama]]
* [[Impeachment in Alabama]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 16:02, 27 August 2024

32°22′36″N 86°17′56″W / 32.37667°N 86.29889°W / 32.37667; -86.29889

Alabama State Senate
Alabama State Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
New session started
March 7, 2023
Leadership
Will Ainsworth (R)
since January 14, 2019
President pro tempore
Greg Reed (R)
since February 2, 2021
Majority Leader
Steve Livingston (R)
since October 30, 2023
Minority Leader
Bobby Singleton (D)
since January 8, 2019
Structure
Seats35
Political groups
Majority
  •   Republican (27)

Minority

Length of term
4 years
AuthorityArticle IV, Alabama Constitution
Salary$53,913/yr [1]
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
November 8, 2022
(35 seats)
Next election
November 3, 2026
(35 seats)
RedistrictingLegislative Control
Meeting place
State Senate Chamber
Alabama State House
Montgomery, Alabama
Website
Alabama State Senate
Rules
Rules of the Alabama State Senate

The Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens. Similar to the lower house, the Alabama House of Representatives, the senate serves both without term limits and with a four-year term.

The Alabama State Senate meets at the State House in Montgomery.

Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the United States Senate, the senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.

Assembly powers

[edit]

While the House of Representatives has exclusive power to originate revenue bills, such legislation can be amended and/or substituted by the senate. Moreover, because the senate is considered to be the "deliberative body", rules concerning the length of the debate are more liberal than those of the House of Representatives.

Like the United States Senate, the Alabama State Senate has the sole power of Confirmation of certain appointees designated by the Constitution and by statute. The legislative antecedent of this role is a similar power that was vested in the Roman Senate during the Roman Republic.

Membership guidelines

[edit]

The Alabama State Senate is composed of 35 state senators, in keeping with Article IV, Section 50, of the Alabama Constitution, which limits the Alabama House of Representatives to 105 members, and the senate to 35; together with Article IX, Sections 197 and 198, which requires that membership in the state senate consist of not less than one-fourth, nor more than one-third, of the total membership of the state House of Representatives. Additional representation is authorized in the event of the creation of new counties. Thus, the Alabama State Senate is precisely one-third the size of the House of Representatives, and each state senator represents a district of approximately 125,000 Alabamians.

Under Article IV, Section 47 of the Constitution, Senators must be at least 25 years of age at the time of their election, must be citizens and residents of the state of Alabama for at least 3 years, and reside within their district for at least one year prior to election.

Senators, like members of the House of Representatives, are elected for four-year terms and take office at midnight of the day of their election. Amendment 97 to the Constitution, provides that should a vacancy occur in either house of the Legislature, the governor is required to call a special election to fill the vacancy.

Composition

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↓
27 8
Republican Democratic
Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Republican Democratic Vacant
November 7, 2018 27 8 35 0
December 7, 2020 26 34 1
July 14, 2021 27 35 0
October 30, 2023 26 34 1
January 23, 2024 27 35 0
Latest voting share 77% 23%

Senate leadership

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Position Name Party District
President Will Ainsworth Republican Statewide
President pro tempore Greg Reed Republican 5th–Jasper
Secretary of the senate D. Patrick Harris

Majority leadership

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Position Name Party District
Senate Majority Leader in Alabama State Senate Steve Livingston Republican 8th–Scottsboro
Senate Majority Vice Leader in Alabama State Senate Clyde Chambliss Republican 30th–Prattville

Minority leadership

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Position Name Party District
Minority Leader in Alabama State Senate Bobby Singleton Democratic 24th–Greensboro
Minority Vice Leader in Alabama State Senate Rodger Smitherman Democratic 18th–Birmingham
Minority Democratic Caucus Chair in Alabama State Senate Linda Coleman-Madison Democratic 20th–Birmingham

List of state senators

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District Senator Political party Hometown First elected Counties represented
1 Tim Melson Republican Florence 2014 Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison
2 Tom Butler Republican Madison 2018 Limestone, Madison
3 Arthur Orr Republican Decatur 2006 Limestone, Madison, Morgan
4 Garlan Gudger Republican Cullman 2018 Cullman, Lawrence, Marion, Winston
5 Greg Reed Republican Jasper 2010 Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Winston
6 Larry Stutts Republican Tuscumbia 2014 Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion
7 Sam Givhan Republican Gurley 2018 Madison
8 Steve Livingston Republican Scottsboro 2014 DeKalb, Jackson, Madison
9 Wes Kitchens Republican Arab 2024 (special) Blount, DeKalb, Madison, Marshall
10 Andrew Jones Republican Centre 2018 Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah, St. Clair
11 Lance Bell Republican Pell City 2022 Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega
12 Keith Kelley Republican Anniston 2022 Calhoun, Talladega
13 Randy Price Republican Opelika 2018 Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Lee, Randolph
14 April Weaver Republican Alabaster 2021 (special) Bibb, Chilton, Shelby
15 Dan Roberts Republican Birmingham 2018 Jefferson, Shelby, Talladega
16 J. T. Waggoner Republican Birmingham 1990 Jefferson, Shelby
17 Shay Shelnutt Republican Trussville 2014 Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair
18 Rodger Smitherman Democratic Birmingham 1994 Jefferson
19 Merika Coleman Democratic Birmingham 2022 Jefferson
20 Linda Coleman-Madison Democratic Birmingham 2006 Jefferson
21 Gerald Allen Republican Tuscaloosa 2010 Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa
22 Greg Albritton Republican Range 2014 Baldwin, Clarke, Escambia, Monroe, Washington
23 Robert Stewart Democratic Selma 2022 Butler, Conecuh, Dallas, Lowndes, Marengo, Monroe, Perry, Wilcox
24 Bobby Singleton Democratic Greensboro 2005 Choctaw, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa
25 Will Barfoot Republican Montgomery 2018 Crenshaw, Elmore, Montgomery
26 Kirk Hatcher Democratic Montgomery 2021 (special) Montgomery
27 Jay Hovey Republican Auburn 2022 Lee, Russell, Tallapoosa
28 Billy Beasley Democratic Clayton 2010 Barbour, Bullock, Henry, Houston, Macon, Russell
29 Donnie Chesteen Republican Geneva 2018 Dale, Geneva, Houston
30 Clyde Chambliss Republican Prattville 2014 Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa
31 Josh Carnley Republican Ino 2022 Coffee, Covington, Dale, Pike
32 Chris Elliott Republican Spanish Fort 2018 Baldwin
33 Vivian Davis Figures Democratic Mobile 1997 Mobile
34 Jack W. Williams Republican Wilmer 2018 Mobile
35 David Sessions Republican Grand Bay 2018 Mobile

Past composition of the senate

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Throughout most of the state's history, the Democratic Party controlled the Alabama State Senate from the time of admission to the Union in 1819 with a few brief exceptions. The Whig Party had a majority in the State Senate in 1837 and again from 1850 to 1851. Following the Civil War and the state's readmission to the Union, the chamber had a Republican majority during the Reconstruction period from 1868 to 1874. This was followed by 136 consecutive years of Democratic majorities. Beginning with the 2010 election Republicans captured a substantial majority in the chamber and have held it in the two elections since in 2014 and 2018.

The first African-American to serve in the Alabama State Senate was Benjamin F. Royal, a Republican from Bullock County, who served from 1868 to 1875.[2] The election of 1983 produced the first female senators in Alabama history as Republican Ann Bedsole (1983-1995) and Democrat Frances "Sister" Strong (1983-1986) won office.

Main article: Elections in Alabama § Summary of elections

Leadership of the senate

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The lieutenant governor of Alabama serves as the president of the senate, but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the president pro tempore presides over the senate. The president pro tempore is elected by the full Senate by nominations taken from the floor, followed by a recorded vote. The president pro tempore is the chief leadership position in the senate. The other Senate Majority and Minority leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.

The president of the senate is the lieutenant governor, which is currently Will Ainsworth. The president pro tempore is Greg Reed. The majority leader is Republican Steve Livingston and the minority leader is Democrat Bobby Singleton.

Committees

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Current committees include:[3]

  • Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
  • Banking and Insurance
  • Business and Labor
  • Children, Youth Affairs, and Human Resources
  • Commerce, Transportation, and Utilities
  • Confirmations
  • Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections
  • Economic Expansion and Trade
  • Education
  • Energy and Natural Resources
  • Finance and Taxation Education
  • Finance and Taxation General Fund
  • Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability
  • Governmental Affairs
  • Health
  • Industrial Development and Recruitment
  • Judiciary
  • Local Legislation No. 1
  • Local Legislation No. 2
  • Local Legislation No. 3
  • Rules
  • Small Business and Economic Development
  • Tourism and Marketing
  • Veterans and Military Affairs

Senate seal

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The Senate Seal features an open book and torch, accompanied by the Latin phrase Libertas Per Lege, meaning "Liberty Through Law". The official Seal of the Senate was adopted by Senate Resolution, August 19, 1965, and was created by a special committee consisting of then Senators John Tyson (Mobile), Vaughan Hill Robison (Montgomery), Bill Nichols (Talladega), Lieutenant Governor Jim Allen and Secretary of the Senate McDowell Lee.

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Budget Fact Book" (PDF). The Alabama Legislature. January 4, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  2. ^ Bailey, Neither Carpetbaggers nor Scalawags (1991)
  3. ^ "Alabama State Senate Committees". Open States. Sunlight Foundation. April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
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