SB502 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wendell Mitchell

Democrat

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

SB502 lets state agencies offer voluntary furloughs to Merit System employees with approval, and updates related layoff rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes a state department to implement a voluntary furlough program for Merit System employees, subject to approval by the State Personnel Department, and requires that such a plan apply to the entire department. It amends the existing layoff framework to preserve Merit System employee rights, including priority for reemployment and restrictions on hiring non-Merit workers when similar Merit positions exist. It also clarifies that furloughs are additive to existing laws and become effective once the Governor approves them.

Who It Affects

• Merit System (classified) state employees who could be placed in voluntary furloughs and who have reemployment rights if laid off
• State departments/appointing authorities and the State Personnel Department who would initiate, approve, and oversee department-wide voluntary furlough plans

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 36-26-26 to authorize voluntary furloughs for Merit System employees with approval from the State Personnel Department, and requires the furlough plan to cover the entire department.
• Keeps existing layoff rules for merit employees, including how seniority is used, the requirement to place laid-off employees on a reemployment list, and priority rights for merit employees in open positions.
• Prohibits abolishing a classified position through layoff if a non-Merit employee is performing similar duties, and requires non-Merit employees to be separated before classified employees when applicable.
• Requires that non-Merit hires occur only after all classified employees who were laid off have been offered and rejected available positions.
• Allows a department to enact a voluntary furlough plan, contingent on approval by the State Personnel Department, and ensures the plan applies to the entire department.
• Clarifies that the new provisions are supplemental and do not repeal other laws, with the act effective immediately after passage and governor 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