SB 40 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Contract review committee; recommendation that the Governor not sign contracts under review provided

SB 40 amends Alabama law to allow the Contract Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee to recommend that the Governor not sign state contracts for personal or professional services paid from public funds. The bill directly affects state departments that enter such contracts, requiring them to submit contracts or letters of intent to the committee for review. Key provisions include adding the committee's explicit authority to recommend against signing contracts (previously only allowing comments) and setting a 45-day review deadline. This is a procedural change to the existing review process, not a new policy.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Apr 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Apr 2, 2026

MODERATE

The bill evolved from an introduced draft to an enrolled final version, incorporating significant substantive additions to the Contract Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee's authority. The final version adds specific requirements for departments to submit letters of intent, establishes a 45-day review timeline with automatic approval if missed, defines the committee's organization and meeting schedule, and clarifies that contracts made in violation of these rules are void from the start.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include formal procedures for contract submission (letters of intent), a strict review deadline, and specific organizational rules for the committee, whereas the introduced version only outlined general review responsibilities.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for departments to submit a 'letter of intent' containing specific details like parties, services, and cost estimates before finalizing a contract.

Added rules requiring the committee to organize itself at the start of a new legislative term and hold regular monthly meetings.

TIMELINE

Established a mandatory 45-day review period for the committee; if no hearing is held within this time, the contract is deemed reviewed and compliant.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that any contract made without prior committee review or in violation of the new procedures is void ab initio (invalid from the beginning).

TECHNICAL

Included signature lines for the Senate President, House Speaker, and Secretary to certify the bill's passage and enrollment.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 956

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (State Government)

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 282

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (State Governmental Affairs)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors