A Republican state lawmaker today introduced a resolution to set up a committee that could investigate impeachment articles against Gov. Robert Bentley.
Rep. Matt Fridy, R-Montevallo, introduced the measure, which had been anticipated for a couple of weeks.
It follows impeachment articles filed earlier this month against the governor, who is fighting accusations related to his relationship with former political adviser Rebekah Mason.
Bentley has called the impeachment effort a political attack and said he's done nothing to warrant removal from office.
Fridy said his resolution was not aimed at Bentley. He said the impeachment resolution against the governor made it clear that the House had no mechanism to carry out the process of impeachment, which is authorized in the state Constitution.
The last impeachment effort in the state was a century ago and involved the secretary of state, not the governor.
Fridy said he wanted to give House members a few days to consider the resolution and would probably try to get a vote on Tuesday.
The work of the investigative committee could extend beyond the legislative session, which ends in mid-May.
Fridy's resolution would set up a committee of 15 House members to be appointed by the House majority and minority leaders. Committee membership would be proportioned by party, race and gender to reflect the full House membership.
A minimum of 10 House members would be required to sign an impeachment petition in order to present a case to the impeachment committee.
Eleven House members signed on to the impeachment resolution against Bentley, including the sponsor, Rep. Ed Henry of Hartselle.
They accused the governor of willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, incompetency and offenses of moral turpitude.
Bentley denounced the effort as grandstanding in a statement two weeks ago.
"There is a lot of work to do before I end my term in office in 2019," Bentley said. "I have laid out a strategic plan for success, and I will continue to focus my efforts on making Alabama a great state."