HB684 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mary MooreRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Merika ColemanMike BallPhil WilliamsJohn W. RogersJuandalynn Givan

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

University of Alabama at Birmingham, separate board of trustees estab. for the University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Alabama at Huntsville, const. amend.

Summary

Creates separate boards of trustees for the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama at Huntsville and transfers assets and liabilities to those boards through a constitutional amendment.

What This Bill Does

Two independent 12-member boards would govern UAB and UAH separately. Each board would include district-based seats, three at-large members, and the Governor as ex officio president, with the student government association president and the faculty senate president as ex officio nonvoting members, and a diversity requirement. The bill would transfer all assets and liabilities from UAB and UAH to their respective new boards, set trustee terms and residency rules, require initial Governor appointments with Senate consent, and require statewide voter approval of the amendment.

Who It Affects

• The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) community—students, faculty, and staff—would be governed by a dedicated UAB Board of Trustees, and UAB's assets and liabilities would be transferred to that board.
• The University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) community—students, faculty, and staff—would be governed by a dedicated UAH Board of Trustees, and UAH's assets and liabilities would be transferred to that board.

Key Provisions

• Creates a separate 12-member Board of Trustees for UAB and a separate 12-member Board of Trustees for UAH.
• Each board includes two district-resident members, one member from each remaining district (as of Jan 1, 2013), three at-large members (may reside outside Alabama), and the Governor as ex officio president; the student government association president and faculty senate president are ex officio nonvoting.
• Boards must reflect statewide diversity in race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economics.
• Initial trustees are appointed by the Governor with Senate consent; terms are divided into three classes with staggered appointments; trustees retire at age 70 or if they no longer reside in their district; vacancies are filled by the remaining board by secret ballot.
• Trustees may be elected to serve until the end of their term and until a successor is elected; no compensation beyond actual expenses; potential honorary emeritus status is allowed but carries no duties.
• The Legislature (Senate) must confirm trustees; if rejected, the board appoints replacements; assets and liabilities of UAB and UAH would be transferred to their respective boards.
• The amendment requires a majority of voters in a statewide election to take effect.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments