Legislation that would propose an amendment to the Alabama Constitution stripping the Lieutenant Governor’s office of any legislative duties was delayed in the State Senate Thursday when it was pulled from the floor before a vote.
Sponsored by Lineville-Republican State Senator Gerald Dial, SB88 stipulates the “sole responsibility” of the Lt. Governor’s post would be “to succeed to the Office of Governor upon the Governor’s removal from office, death, or resignation.”
Under current legislation, the Lieutenant Governor is the President of the Senate and is entitled to vote in the event of a tie, much like that of the Vice President of the United States. They are also vested with certain prescribed legislative duties, powers, and responsibilities.
Gov. Kay Ivey has been a vocal critic of the bill.
In her State of the State address, she explained her time presiding over the Senate as Lt. Governor prepared to assume the office of the Governor when former. Gov. Robert Bentley resigned.
“The smooth transition of government, brought me full circle – from the legislative to the executive – and I am better able to lead and govern because of it. I support having a lieutenant governor who presides over the Senate. Our current order of succession serves the state well. I know this firsthand, having experienced it. I strongly support our current order of succession,” Ivey said in her speech earlier this month.
Nevertheless, Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh said the bill was a priority to consider, but failed to say whether or not it would make it back to the floor before the Senate is scheduled to end in two weeks.
The position for Lt. Governor currently vacant, and has been since Ivey assumed office in April 2017.
Republicans Will Ainsworth, Twinkle Cavanaugh and Rusty Glover, along with Democrat Will Boyd are running to fill it the position this year.
