Alabama Legislature

The Alabama Legislature is the state’s bicameral legislative branch, made up of a 35-member Senate and a 105-member House of Representatives that meet in Montgomery. Members of both chambers serve four-year terms with no term limits, and the regular session in 2026 was scheduled to run from January 13 to April 9.[1][2]

Structure

The legislature has two chambers: the Senate with 35 members and the House with 105. All seats are up for election every four years in even-numbered years, and there are no term limits.[1] The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate, and the House elects a speaker. The legislature meets in the State House area of Montgomery.

Sessions and pay

Regular sessions last about three months. The 2026 session was scheduled from January 13 to April 9, 2026. Members receive an annual salary of $62,212 in both chambers according to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ 2025 data, plus per diem rates that vary with travel time and overnight stays.[1] The governor can call special sessions.[2]

Responsibilities

The legislature passes the laws and the annual budgets of the state and shares power with the governor, who may sign or veto its bills; a veto can be overridden by a majority vote in both houses.[2] It also proposes amendments to the state constitution, which voters must ratify; see the Constitution of Alabama. The Wikipedia article on the constitution describes the legislature as one of the three branches alongside the governor and the judiciary.

History and name

The legislature was founded in 1818 as a territorial body and became the state legislature on admission. It was originally the General Assembly, and the 1901 constitution renamed it the Alabama Legislature.[3]

Structure and sessions

It is bicameral, with 105 House members and 35 senators, all serving four-year terms elected in the same cycle. It meets at the Alabama State House in Montgomery. Regular sessions begin on the first Tuesday in February, the first Tuesday in March in the first year of a term and the second Tuesday in January in the last year, and are limited to 30 meeting days within 105 calendar days.[3]

Leadership and powers

Will Ainsworth has been Senate president since 2019, Garlan Gudger Senate president pro tempore since 2025 and Nathaniel Ledbetter House speaker since 2023. Republicans hold 27 Senate and 76 House seats. The legislature enacts laws, proposes constitutional amendments by a three-fifths vote of each house with voter approval, redistricts legislative seats, and may act in special sessions called by the governor, limited to 12 legislative days within 30.[3]

FAQs

How many senators does Alabama have? The Alabama Senate has 35 members.

Are there term limits? No. Members serve four-year terms with no term limits.

Sources

1. Ballotpedia: Alabama State Legislature
2. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Office of the Governor
3. Wikipedia: Alabama Legislature

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue