Opinion ID: 1133035
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Part II Effective Date

Text: You indicate that the effective date of CS for SB 268 is in doubt inasmuch as the bill specifies an effective date of July 1 but did not, as we earlier indicated, become law until July 6. The constitution provides: Each law shall take effect on the sixtieth day after adjournment sine die of the session of the legislature in which enacted or as otherwise provided therein. [13] The possible effective dates created by the events surrounding this bill are July 1 (the provided effective date), July 6 (the date on which the bill became law) and August 5 (the sixtieth day after the session adjourned). The attorney general has twice opined, once under a similar provision of the 1885 Constitution, and once under the 1968 Constitution, that the appropriate date in these circumstances (and in the absence of an expressed declaration of retroactivity) is the sixtieth day after adjournment. [14] He there reasoned that the effective date provided in the bill is inoperative unless the bill becomes law on or before that date. We see no reason to disagree with the analysis contained in his opinions since it is supported by valid policy reasons related to the administration of the judicial system. Accordingly, we advise you that CS for SB 268 will become effective on August 5, 1979. Respectfully, James C. Adkins Joseph A. Boyd, Jr. Ben F. Overton James E. Alderman