House committee gives favorable report to bill capping counties’ voter-list publication costs at $40,000

The House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections committee voted to give House Bill 272 a favorable report after the bill’s sponsor said the measure would cap the cost to publish a county voters list at $40,000 and create alternatives when newspapers decline to print the list.

Representative KS, who introduced House Bill 272, told the committee the measure grew out of a request from Jefferson County and has been revised to help every county in the state. "This bill caps the total cost of the voters list at $40,000," he said, adding the cap would be adjusted for inflation beginning Jan. 1, 2030.

Supporters said the cap would limit taxpayer spending in larger counties while preserving the long-standing practice of publishing voter lists for public notice. Sunny Brasville, who spoke for stakeholders involved in drafting the measure, said the Alabama Press Association had worked closely on the language. "This is a way to keep the voters list published in the papers and keep it at an economical price for the voters and the taxpayers," Brasville said.

Lawmakers pressed presenters on how the bill would affect residents who rely on printed newspapers. Representative Hassel said he worried about older and rural residents: "I got a 82y old grandmother and she want a newspaper," he said, arguing those residents still need paper copies. Sponsors and other members replied that when a newspaper will not publish the list for $40,000 or less, the bill provides alternative methods: posting on the county website, making copies available at the probate judge’s office for a reasonable fee, and placing notices directing people where to find the list.

Representative Lumie framed the measure within states’ authority over registration and voting, telling the students present that those functions are reserved to the states. He also emphasized the fiscal argument: the sponsor estimated the cap would save counties "between 800 and 1.3 million every four year cycle." After discussion, Lumie moved a favorable report and Representative Shy seconded the motion.

The committee took a voice vote; the chair announced the "ayes" carried and the bill was reported favorably out of committee. The chair told the students the next step is the House rules committee, which schedules bills for floor consideration; if the sponsor does not secure placement on a calendar there, the bill cannot advance to a floor vote.

The committee’s action preserves the current requirement that voter lists be publicly available while limiting the maximum publication cost, and it directs counties to use specified alternatives when printing at the capped price is not feasible. The bill now proceeds to the rules committee for calendar assignment before any floor debate.