A bill that would amend the state constitution to allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed on public property was approved by the Alabama Senate on Thursday.
Sponsored by Lineville-Republican Sen. Gerald Dial, SB139 was approved 23-7, with only Democrats voting against it.
In order to stand up to constitutional muster, Dial’s bill requires the Ten Commandments to “be displayed in a manner that complies with constitutional requirements, including, but not limited to, being intermingled with historical or educational items, or both, in a larger display.”
This marks the 13th time Dial has introduced the Ten Commandments legislation. In the past, part of the reason it has failed was due to questions regarding the cost of defending the bill in court, in necessary.
Dial addressed those issues within the 2017 legislation, barring public funds for paying for court costs. Instead, he believe lawyers would volunteer to defend the constitutionality of the bill.
It now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives where there are only four days left in the Legislative Session to approve the proposal.
If measure passes the House, it would then go before voters for referendum.
