SB143 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

General fund budget, appropriations for ordinary expenses of executive, legislative, and judicial departments

Summary

SB143 is Alabama's 2013-2014 general fund and earmarked funds budget act that authorizes and outlines appropriations for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and many state agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, including conditional funding and various oversight provisions.

What This Bill Does

Allocates General Fund and earmarked funds to a wide range of state agencies and programs for ordinary expenses, debt service, and capital outlay for FY2014, with totals listed by fund source and program. Sets definitions and funding mechanics (terms like Program, Capital Outlay, Debt Service) and authorizes transfers between funds and reappropriation of unspent 2013 appropriations to the same agencies for FY2014. Includes several conditional appropriations tied to fund availability and approvals (for example, a $10 million conditional appropriation to Corrections and a $2 million conditional appropriation to Mental Health, plus other tobacco settlement-related appropriations) with requirements for reporting and oversight. Imposes requirements on agencies to notify local legislative delegations before grants and to provide quarterly reports on grants, cost savings studies, and program outcomes; also addresses merit pay, state employee benefits, and related financial governance.

Who It Affects

• State agencies and their employees (including salaries, operating funds, debt service, and capital projects) who receive appropriation allocations and may be subject to conditional funding and transfer rules.
• Residents and local communities (through Medicaid, health services, veterans programs, mental health services, and community grants) as well as local legislative districts that may receive grants or be involved in grant processes.

Key Provisions

• Section 2 establishes FY2014 appropriations from the General Fund and earmarked funds to numerous agencies, programs, and services across the state, including detailed line items and totals by fund source and program.
• Section 3 reappropriates any unspent 2013 appropriations to the respective offices for the 2013-2014 cycle.
• Section 4 adds a separate appropriation from the Senior Services Trust Fund to Retirement Systems of Alabama, contingent on fund availability and approval processes.
• Section 5 creates conditional appropriations tied to tobacco settlement or litigation funds for FY2014, requires independent evaluation of Children First programs, and mandates quarterly reporting and local notification for grants.
• Section 7 allows transferring surplus General Fund appropriations to other line items if salaries or other obligations are at risk, subject to governance by the Governor.
• Section 8 directs that gifts, grants, or entitlements beyond those listed be appropriated or reappropriated to the original purpose and authorizes auditing cost sharing with other government entities.
• Section 9 authorizes the Examiners of Public Accounts to audit appropriations and requires cooperation from agencies for recoveries and audits.
• Section 10 provides for court-ordered payments (e.g., federal court orders) to be funded from appropriate funds when available, with conditions on availability and Director of Finance approval.
• Section 11 assigns interest from certain acts to the Governor’s Contingency Fund and directs that other interest goes to the State General Fund.
• Section 12 requires encumbered balances to lapse by the next fiscal year unless otherwise specified, returning funds to the General Fund or earmarked funds.
• Section 13 requires agencies to transfer specified funds to the State Personnel Department and to pay for services provided by other agencies in a timely manner.
• Section 16 and 18 set policies regarding merit pay (not to be reinstated before 2014 and to maintain anniversary dates if merit pay resumes), and Section 17 fixes the State Employees' Insurance Board rate at $825 per month for FY2014, with adjustments as needed.
• Section 19 requires the Director of Finance to notify legislative chairs of interagency transfers and the nature of those transfers.
• Section 21 reiterates the act’s contingency and severability provisions, and Section 23 requires equal opportunity for employment and business, regardless of sex or race.

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

Subjects

Appropriations