HB551 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joseph C. Mitchell

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Legislature, prohibition against employment within two years after service in Legislature

Summary

HB551 would bar a person who has served in the Alabama Legislature from being appointed to a cabinet-level role or employed by state government or public colleges for two years after leaving office.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the law would prohibit a legislator-turned-official from being appointed to a cabinet-level position in the Governor's office or employed by any state government branch, department, board, commission, or public educational institution during their elected term or within two years after leaving. Any employment or contract in violation would be void. A person who violates the ban could be personally liable to the State for the amount of compensation received. The Attorney General would enforce these provisions, and the law would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and approval or becoming law.

Who It Affects

• Former Alabama legislators who have left office: they may not take a cabinet-level job or be employed by state government or public colleges within two years of leaving.
• State government employers (Governor's Office, cabinet agencies, departments, boards, and commissions): they are restricted from hiring such former legislators within the two-year window.
• Public educational institutions (local boards of education, two-year colleges, and four-year colleges/universities): they are restricted from employing former legislators within the two-year window.
• The Attorney General: tasked with enforcing the ban and resolving violations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition covers appointment to cabinet-level positions in the Governor's office and employment by any state government branch or public educational institution during the elected term or within two years after leaving the Legislature.
• Any employment or contract in violation of the prohibition is void.
• The individual may be personally liable to the State for the amount of compensation received in violation.
• The Attorney General enforces the provision, with an effective date at the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

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

Subjects

Legislature