HB673 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jay Love

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Transportation Department, director authorized to appoint assistant counsel subject to State Merit System, Sec. 23-1-26 am'd.

Summary

The bill would let the Department of Transportation hire additional assistant counsel as needed, with Merit System rules and Attorney General approval, and would require those lawyers to be sworn as assistant attorneys general as part of the department's legal division.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 23-1-26 to authorize the Director of Transportation to appoint assistant counsel as may be necessary to transact the department's legal business, subject to Merit System law and AG approval. It requires the chief counsel and assistant counsel to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and to take the oath required of other AG assistants. It also states that the chief counsel, the assistant counsel, and their stenographic and clerical assistants shall constitute the legal division of the Department of Transportation. The act would take effect immediately after passage and the Governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• State Department of Transportation and its legal staff, which would gain authority to hire additional assistant counsel as needed and operate under a formal legal division led by counsel.
• Office of the Attorney General, which would approve appointments and administer the oath/commissioning process for DOT lawyers serving as assistant attorneys general.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 23-1-26 to authorize the Director of Transportation to appoint assistant counsel as necessary to transact the department's legal business, subject to Merit System law and Attorney General approval.
• Requires the chief counsel and assistant counsel to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and to take the oath required of other AG assistants; their stenographic and clerical staff form the legal division of the DOT.
• Effective date: immediate upon passage and the Governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Transportation Department