SB450 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Del MarshPaul SanfordArthur OrrDick BrewbakerPaul Bussman

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Labor, merger of Department of Industrial Relations and Department of Labor, Secs. 25-2-1, 25-2-2, 25-2-6, 25-2-7 am'd; Secs. 25-3-1, 25-3-2, 25-3-3, 25-5-4, 25-5-5 repealed

Summary

SB450 merges the Department of Industrial Relations into the Department of Labor, updates references, and adds layoff assistance and cost-saving measures.

What This Bill Does

It creates a single Department of Labor by combining the two agencies and replacing references to the old departments and their leaders with references to the Department of Labor and its Commissioner of Labor. It transfers all powers, duties, records, property, staff, and funds from the old Department of Industrial Relations to the new Department of Labor and repeals the existing Department of Labor statutes. It directs the Department to administer labor laws, inspections, and related duties (with some exceptions), cooperate with federal employment programs, and pursue cost savings of at least 20% of the 2012 General Fund appropriation; it also requires the Commissioner of Labor to provide layoff and plant-closure help to workers and may involve credit unions and creditor communications to support affected employees.

Who It Affects

• Employees and job seekers, especially those facing layoffs or plant closures, who will receive information, guidance, and potential financial assistance from the Department of Labor.
• Employers, labor organizations, mediation boards, and financial institutions (notably credit unions) that interact with wage disputes, layoffs, or debt management, and that face changes in department structure, rules, or membership rules.

Key Provisions

• Merge the Department of Industrial Relations into the Department of Labor and treat references to the former departments and officials as references to the Department of Labor and the Commissioner of Labor.
• Transfer all powers, duties, records, property, employees, and funds from the former Department of Industrial Relations to the Department of Labor; repeal the old Department of Labor statutes (25-3-1, 25-3-2, 25-3-3, 25-5-4, 25-5-5).
• Amend Sections 25-2-1, 25-2-2, 25-2-6, and 25-2-7 to establish and guide the unified Department of Labor and its broad responsibilities, including labor law administration, inspections, rulemaking, and cooperation with federal employment services; the Commissioner of Labor leads the department.
• Provide layoff and plant-closure assistance: the Commissioner must offer written materials, meet with management and labor groups, and may assist financially; rules may expand credit union membership to aid affected workers and allow credit unions to accept deposits from companies involved in layoffs.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2012.

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

Subjects

Government