HB678 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jay Love

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

State employees under Merit System, voluntary furlough plan approved by State Personnel Department authorized, Sec. 36-26-26 am'd.; Act 2009-502, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

The bill amends Alabama's Merit System rules to allow voluntary furloughs and to set terms for layoffs and reemployment for state employees.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes departments to implement voluntary furlough plans for employees if approved by the State Personnel Department, and requires such plans to apply department-wide and be voluntary for the employee. It clarifies layoff procedures, including how seniority is used, notice requirements, and placement on reemployment lists. It gives laid-off permanent Merit System (classified) employees priority for other positions in the same class filled from an open register, and requires non-merit employees to be separated before classified employees unless no substantially similar classified position is available. It also requires non-merit hires to wait until laid-off classified employees have been offered and rejected any suitable positions, and preserves employee benefits and rights.

Who It Affects

• Permanent state employees under the Merit System (classified/regular employees) who could be laid off, who may participate in voluntary furloughs if approved, and who gain reemployment priority for other same-class positions.
• Non-merit (non-classified) employees and state departments/appointing authorities, who face layoff sequencing rules (non-merit separated before classified) and hiring restrictions until laid-off classified positions are offered and rejected; departments must obtain approval to implement voluntary furlough plans.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 36-26-26 to establish terms for furloughs of Merit System employees and to regulate layoffs due to work/funds shortages or organizational changes.
• Allows a department to enact a voluntary furlough plan for employees if approved by the State Personnel Department; plans apply department-wide and are voluntary for employees.
• During layoffs, considers seniority and service ratings; requires written notice to the director and places laid-off regular employees on a reemployment list.
• Gives permanent Merit System employees laid off priority for any other position in the same class filled from an open competitive register.
• Prohibits abolishing a classified position via layoff if outside-Merit employees are performing similar duties, unless no substantially similar classified employee is willing to accept the duties; non-merit employees are separated first.
• Non-merit hires may not occur until all laid-off classified employees in substantially similar positions have been offered and rejected the position.
• Keeps other employee rights intact (retirement, insurance, leave, time of service, status) despite the furlough or layoff changes.
• The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and 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

State Employees