HJR832 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul DeMarco
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Alabama Innovation Council Study Commission, established
Summary: Creates the Alabama Innovation Council Study Commission to study and report on creating a statewide Innovation Council to boost science, technology, and economic development in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a 26-member study commission including eight university presidents and multiple private-sector leaders appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker to examine whether a statewide Innovation Council should be created. It directs the commission to study how such a council could attract and grow science, technology, and innovation companies, create or retain jobs, and improve quality of life, and to report interim and final findings to the Legislature before the 2011 Regular Session. It authorizes the commission to seek private funds and hire staff (staff cannot be state employees) and requires diversity in its membership, while designating advisory roles for the legislative sponsor and the Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. It also sets timelines for appointments, initial meetings, and final dissolution after delivering its final report.

Who It Affects
Higher education institutions in Alabama and their presidents, who will sit on the Commission and help shape its study and recommendations.
Preeminent Alabama private-sector business leaders appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker, who will participate on the Commission and influence its findings.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama Innovation Council Study Commission with 26 members: eight university presidents, seven Governor-appointed business leaders, four Lieutenant Governor-appointed business leaders, five Speaker-appointed business leaders, plus advisory non-voting participants (legislative sponsor and the Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education).
Requires inclusive, diverse membership reflecting race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economic diversity.
Appointive deadlines: all appointments within 30 days after final passage; initial meeting within 60 days; Commission to elect a chair and set procedures.
Charge to study all aspects of creating a statewide Innovation Council, including potential impact on jobs, economic growth, and quality of life.
Interim report by December 1, 2010 and final report by the first legislative day of the 2011 Regular Session, after which the Commission is dissolved.
Authority to solicit, accept, and spend funds from private sources and to hire staff (staff not to be state employees); members serve without compensation.
Legislature and related offices must provide necessary information and clerical support; voting rules exclude the sponsor and the ACEHE director from vote considerations.

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