All lawyers who are qualified to practice law in Alabama and who are not engaged in active practice because they are holding a state or federal office that precludes them from practicing law may become members of the Alabama Bar Association by paying directly to the secretary of such association an annual sum equal to 50 percent of the money collected by the State of Alabama from a lawyer as a privilege license tax to engage in the practice of law. Upon payment of the sum as prescribed in the preceding sentence, such persons shall be entitled to all the privileges and benefits common to other members of such association.