SB311 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Transportation Department, director authorized to appoint assistant counsel subject to State Merit System, Sec. 23-1-26 am'd.

Summary

This bill would authorize the Director of Transportation to appoint assistant counsel as needed to handle the department's legal work, under Merit System rules and with Attorney General approval.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 23-1-26 to allow the Director of Transportation to appoint assistant counsel as necessary to transact the department's legal business, subject to the Merit System and with AG approval. The bill also requires the chief counsel and assistant counsel to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and to take the oath required of other assistants of the Attorney General, with their stenographic and clerical staff forming the legal division of the DOT. The act becomes effective immediately after it is approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• State Department of Transportation and its Director: gain authority to appoint additional assistant counsel as needed to handle the department's legal matters, within Merit System rules and with Attorney General approval.
• Office of the Attorney General and related staff: the DOT's chief counsel and assistant counsel are to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and take the required oath, making them part of the Attorney General's legal framework within the DOT.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Director of Transportation, with the approval of the Attorney General, to appoint assistant counsel as necessary to transact the legal business of the State Department of Transportation, subject to the Merit System law.
• Requires the chief counsel and the assistant counsel to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and to take the oath required of other assistants of the Attorney General.
• Declares that the chief counsel, the assistant counsel, and their stenographic and clerical assistants form the legal division of the State Department of Transportation.
• States that the act becomes effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor.

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