HB55 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Mike Hill Blaine Galliher
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Ethics Commission, granted subpoena power, Sec. 36-25-3 am'd.; Act 2009-225, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.
Summary: HB55 would grant the State Ethics Commission subpoena power to compel testimony and documents in investigations and create a formal investigative staff.
What This Bill Does
It would authorize the Ethics Commission to issue subpoenas in investigations only after complaints have been filed and moved beyond the preliminary inquiry stage. It would establish a full-time director and up to six full-time investigators who are sworn law enforcement officers to support the Commission, with arrest powers limited to court orders. It would provide for a full-time legal counsel, appointed with the Attorney General's approval, who would act as an assistant or deputy attorney general dedicated to the Commission. It would set governance and compensation rules for Commission members and staff, and restrict partisan political activity by Commission personnel.

Who It Affects
State Ethics Commission and its staff (director, investigators, and legal counsel) who gain subpoena authority and new enforcement roles
Individuals or organizations involved in Ethics Commission investigations (such as complainants and people or entities accused of ethical violations) who could be subpoenaed
The Attorney General's Office, which would approve the Commission's legal counsel

Key Provisions
Subpoena power granted to the Commission, to be used in cases where complaints have progressed beyond the preliminary inquiry stage
Appointment of a full-time director and up to six full-time investigators who are sworn law enforcement officers with jurisdiction to enforce laws related to the Commission's work; arrest powers restricted to court order
Appointment of a full-time legal counsel by the director with Attorney General approval, serving as an assistant or deputy attorney general dedicated to the Commission
Provisions for compensation and governance of Commission members and staff, including limits on partisan political activity
Vacancy rule requiring Black appointees to fill Commission vacancies if no Black member is serving at the time

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Ethics Commission