HB334 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Yvonne Kennedy

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Merika ColemanPat MooreDickie DrakeJamie IsonMary Sue McClurkin

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Women's Commission, qualifications, duties, funding, terms of office, altered, employees and benefits provided for, fees for programs authorized, Secs. 41-9-415, 41-9-416 added; Secs. 41-9-410, 41-9-411, 41-9-413 am'd.

Summary

HB334 reorganizes and funds Alabama's Women's Commission to expand its role in studying and improving women's status, while adding staff, funding mechanisms, and clear duties.

What This Bill Does

It creates a continuing Women’s Commission with specified members and terms, including at least seven women among governor-appointed members. It authorizes the Commission to organize, form committees, hire staff and hold hearings to carry out its work. It gives the Commission power to hire an executive director and other staff, set their duties, and provide employee benefits. It allows the Commission to receive and manage funds, institute user fees (with waivers), maintain a dedicated Women’s Commission Fund that carries over year to year, and requires audits and tax exemptions for contributions and activities. It directs the Commission to study the status of women, advise the Governor and Legislature, monitor legislation, and coordinate with other agencies on a broad set of women's issues.

Who It Affects

• Members of the Women's Commission (legislative appointees and governor appointees), who face new appointment rules, term lengths, and compensation/expense reimbursement rules.
• Women in Alabama and the general public who will benefit from policy analysis, programs, and funding from the Commission, and who may be subject to program fees with possible waivers; donors and recipients of Commission-funded activities also benefit from tax exemptions and funding provisions.

Key Provisions

• Defines the Commission's composition: three House appointees, two Senate appointees, and ten Governor-appointed members, with at least seven governor appointees being women; establishes term lengths (Legislature members: two-year terms; Governor appointees: five-year and three-year terms, with successors for those terms).
• Provides organizational provisions: the Commission shall hold an organizational session to elect officers, adopt rules, form committees, and appoint task forces; committees serve without pay and the Commission gets office space and staff as needed.
• Outlines the Commission's duties: study and advise on policies affecting women, monitor legislation, work with other agencies, and promote action in areas like employment, education, health, legal rights, political participation, and family life.
• Authorizes staff and funding: the Commission may hire an executive director and other staff, set their duties and benefits, and offer employee benefits.
• Establishes funding and financial rules: creates the Women's Commission Fund in the State Treasury, allows accepting and disbursing funds from various sources, imposes possible user fees (waived when appropriate), requires records and audits, and provides tax exemptions for contributions and Commission activities; funds carry over between fiscal years.

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

Subjects

Women