SB146 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Cam Ward Del Marsh Mark Slade Blackwell Clay Scofield Phillip W. Williams Tom Whatley Paul Bussman Bill Holtzclaw
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: State employees, execution of personal service contract with relative prohibited, nepotism within state agencies prohibited under certain conditions, exceptions, Sec. 41-1-5 am'd.
Summary: SB146 tightens Alabama nepotism rules in state government by banning hiring or contracting with relatives within four degrees and restricting relatives’ roles in HR decisions.
What This Bill Does
It prohibits state officers and employees from appointing or entering personal service contracts with someone related within four degrees. It also makes relatives of agency heads or appointing authorities ineligible to serve under that authority, voiding such appointments. It further restricts relatives of public employees from supervising or participating in hiring, evaluation, reassignment, promotion, or discipline, with certain exceptions; violations carry misdemeanor penalties and possible disciplinary action.

Who It Affects
State officers and employees, and their relatives within four degrees, who would be barred from hiring or contracting with them and who would face limits on the relative’s involvement in HR decisions about the employee.
Agency heads/appointing authorities and their relatives within four degrees (including certain designees) who would be ineligible to be hired under the agency and whose appointment would be void.

Key Provisions
Prohibits state officers or employees from appointing or entering a personal service contract with anyone related within four degrees of affinity or consanguinity to the state employee.
Relatives within four degrees of a agency head/appointing authority (and certain designees) are ineligible to serve under that authority; such appointments are void; ongoing state employment and normal merit-system promotions are not hindered.
Relatives of a public employee within four degrees cannot be the employee’s immediate supervisor or participate in hiring, evaluation, reassignment, promotion, or discipline, with an exception for city or county boards of education where the relative will not be the employee’s immediate supervisor and had no involvement in hiring decisions.
Penalties include a misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine and up to one year in jail; willful violations can lead to disciplinary action including separation from state service; exceptions exist for classified-state-service appointments from eligible lists and for individuals employed as of September 16, 1963.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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