Alabama legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Alabama HB521: Board of Registrars; background checks required, authorize pay during emergencies, qualification for compensation during holidays and emergencies specified
Status: In committee, March 31, 2026
What the bill says
An act Relating to boards of registrars; to amend Sections 17-3-2, 17-3-5, and 17-3-8 as last amended by Act 2025-22 of the 2025 Regular Session, and Section 17-4-33, Code of Alabama 1975; to require candidates for a board of registrars to submit to a criminal background check; to require that the state pays the salaries of the boards of registrars when the boards' working days are affected by county, state, or national emergencies; to require registrars to be considered as employees for purposes of receiving natural disaster, pandemic relief, or other emergency funds…
From the engrossed text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT Relating to boards of registrars; to amend Sections 17-3-2, 17-3-5, and 17-3-8 as last amended by Act 2025-22 of the 2025 Regular Session, and Section 17-4-33, Code of Alabama 1975; to require candidates for a board of registrars to submit to a criminal background check; to require that the state pays the salaries of the boards of registrars when the boards' working days are affected by county, state, or national emergencies; to require registrars to be considered as employees for purposes of receiving natural disaster, pandemic relief, or other emergency funds; and to permit members of the board of registrars to omit certain information about themselves from the voter registration list. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. Sections 17-3-2, 17-3-5, and 17-3-8 as last amended by Act 2025-22 of the 2025 Regular Session, and Section 17-4-33, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows: "§17-3-2 (a)(1) Registration shall be conducted in each county by a board of three reputable and suitable individuals to be Page by a board of three reputable and suitable individuals to be HB521 Engrossed appointed, unless otherwise provided by law, by the Governor, Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, or by a majority of them acting as a state board of appointment, …