SB568 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry Dixon

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 allow the DOT Director to hire more assistant counsel (up to ten) to handle the department's legal work, under Merit System rules and with the Attorney General's approval.

What This Bill Does

It changes the legal staff cap from five to up to ten assistant counsel for the Department of Transportation, with appointments subject to Merit System rules and AG approval. It also requires chief counsel and assistant counsel to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and to take the oath, and their clerical staff would form the department's legal division. The changes affect how the DOT's legal team is organized and who can be hired to address legal matters.

Who It Affects

• State Department of Transportation (DOT) — can hire more assistant counsel to handle legal work, expanding the legal staff up to ten, within Merit System rules.
• Attorney General and Merit System oversight — must approve appointments and ensure compliance with Merit System rules.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 23-1-26 to authorize the Director of Transportation to appoint up to ten assistant counsel, subject to the Merit System law and with the Attorney General's approval.
• Requires the chief counsel and assistant counsel to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and to take the oath; their stenographic and clerical staff form the legal division of the DOT.
• Effective immediately following 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

Transportation Department