SB503 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve French

Republican

Co-Sponsors

J.T. WaggonerTrip PittmanPaul SanfordRusty GloverScott BeasonCharles Bishop

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Discrimination or preferential treatment based on sex or race by state, public colleges and universities, counties and municipalities, prohibited

Summary

SB503 would prohibit the state and its public bodies from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, or contracting.

What This Bill Does

It wouldbar state entities, including agencies, departments, counties, municipalities, and public colleges/universities, from discriminating or granting preferential treatment in public employment, public education, or public contracting based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Any actions that violate this prohibition would be void from the start. The bill includes exceptions for bona fide sex-based qualifications necessary to operate, allows actions needed to maintain eligibility for federal programs if funds could be lost, and states that the law is severable and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• The State of Alabama and its agencies, departments, commissions, and political subdivisions (including counties and municipalities) would be prohibited from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment in public employment, education, or contracting.
• Public institutions of higher education and other government-related institutions or instrumentalities would be subject to the same prohibition in public employment, education, or contracting.
• Individuals or groups defined by race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin would be protected from discrimination, and actions violating the prohibition would be void ab initio.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits discrimination or preferential treatment in public employment, public education, and public contracting by the state, its agencies, political subdivisions, public higher education institutions, and government instrumentalities based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
• Allows bona fide sex-based qualifications necessary for the normal operation of public employment, education, or contracting and permits actions needed to maintain eligibility for federal programs if loss of funds would occur.
• Any action taken in violation of the prohibition is void ab initio (from the start).
• Provisions are severable, and the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month 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

Discrimination