SB20 Alabama 2010 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Clay ScofieldPhillip W. WilliamsBill HoltzclawPaul BussmanShadrack McGillGreg J. ReedScott BeasonPaul SanfordTrip PittmanBen H. BrooksGerald H. AllenMark Slade Blackwell

Session

First Special Session 2010

Title

Ethics Law, lobbying, definition to include activity with any branch of state government, maintenance of electronic database, mandatory ethics training for public officers or employees and lobbyists, certain representation by legislators prohibited, Sec. 36-25-1.5 added

Summary

SB20 requires class-action settlements in Alabama that create a common fund to include a plan for handling unclaimed residual funds and to transfer those funds to the Children's Trust Fund run by the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.

What This Bill Does

It mandates that orders approving class-action settlements establishing a common fund set out a specific plan for identifying when residual funds are unclaimed and when they will be transferred. At the end of a class action, any undistributed funds due to factors like unlocated members or infeasible direct distribution must be sent to the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention for the Children's Trust Fund, following the plan. The measure takes effect immediately after passage and Governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Class-action plaintiffs and administrators in Alabama whose settlements create a common fund, who must establish and follow a plan for unclaimed funds.
• The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and the Children's Trust Fund, which would receive any unclaimed residual funds.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Orders entering judgment or approving settlements that create a common fund must establish a plan for when residual funds are unclaimed and when they will be transferred to the Children's Trust Fund.
• Section 2: At the end of a class action, undistributed residual funds (e.g., due to unlocated members or infeasible distribution) must be distributed to the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention per the plan.
• Section 3: The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and the Governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Ethics Commission