HB463 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Ball
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Attorney General, makes permissive issuance of opinions, expenses, attorneys licensed outside Alabama authorized to be appointed deputy attorneys general, certain private law offices prohibited, nonmerit employee appointments increased, issuance of subpoenas, criminal prosecutions, official opinions, false statement by Attorney General in investigations, prohibited, penalties, Sec. 36-15-62.1 added; Secs. 36-15-1, 36-15-4.2, 36-15-5.1, 36-15-6, 36-15-9, 36-15-10, 36-15-11.1, 36-15-13, 36-15-14, 36-15-16, 36-15-17, 36-15-21.1, 36-15-60, 36-15-62 am'd.
Summary: HB463 reorganizes the Alabama Attorney General's Office by expanding staffing, allowing outside deputy attorneys general, creating new oversight and enforcement tools, and adding a new crime for false statements in AG investigations.
What This Bill Does
Key changes include: clarifying the governor's authority to hire personal counsel; allowing the AG to appoint deputy attorneys general including those licensed outside Alabama; prohibiting deputies from maintaining private law offices and increasing non-merit staff; creating the Attorney General's Litigation Support Fund to manage related fees and penalties; enabling the AG to supervise criminal prosecutions with district attorney assistance; giving assistants power to issue opinions when the AG is absent; adding a new criminal penalty (36-15-62.1) for false statements in AG investigations; and expanding reporting, records, and accountability requirements.

Who It Affects
Attorney General's Office employees and operations in Alabama (staffing levels, career status, compensation, duties, and restrictions on private practice).
Outside attorneys and state/local government entities (including municipalities and districts) that rely on AG opinions, prosecutions, or enforcement, and individuals involved in AG investigations (subject to new penalties for false statements).

Key Provisions
Clarifies the governor's authority to employ personal counsel and removes certain fee contract review steps.
Permits the Attorney General to accept attorney fees, expenses, and penalties up to actual office expenses and requires certification of amounts to budget chairs.
Allows attorneys licensed outside Alabama to be appointed as deputy attorneys general; prohibits deputies from maintaining private law offices; increases non-merit staff.
Authorizes the AG to create and fund the Litigation Support Fund, with rules on use, carryover, and reporting; sets caps and audit requirements.
Creates chief investigator and additional investigators with classified status and salary rules; provides investigator benefits and reversion rights if moving from classified service.
Establishes 36-15-62.1 making it a Class C felony to falsify or conceal evidence or make false statements in matters under AG investigations.
Authorizes AG-assisted prosecution supervision, subpoena power, grand jury participation, and official opinion issuance by assistants when the AG is absent.
Requires certain reporting on litigation and enables posting of official opinions on the Internet.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Attorney General