HB507 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phil Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Climatologist, office established, powers and duties

Summary

This bill creates the Office of the State Climatologist in Alabama and sets up how the office would be led, funded, and what it would do.

What This Bill Does

This bill would create the Office of the State Climatologist in Alabama and set up how the office is led and funded, including appointments by the University of Alabama in Huntsville president with Governor approval and salaries set by the appointing authority. The State Climatologist and an Assistant could teach up to six hours per week of climate-related courses at UAH under limited conditions, but this teaching would not grant them Teachers' Retirement System membership. The bill would let the Climatologist hire assistants through the Merit System to work full time, with funds not used to pay salaries of UAH staff. Its duties would include studying climate impacts, coordinating climate research, disseminating information, establishing a state climate program, seeking grants, and coordinating with the federal government and other states.

Who It Affects

• State Climatologist and Assistant Climatologist: appointment process, salaries, and employment terms (at-will, potential for vacancies).
• University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and its staff: the Climatologist and assistants may teach at UAH under limits, and funds cannot be used to pay UAH staff salaries.
• State agencies, local governments, and the general public: will receive climate data, guidance, and a formal state climate program.
• Federal government and other states: will coordinate climate activities and programs with Alabama.
• Grant makers and donors: potential sources of funds to support the state climate program.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Office of the State Climatologist within Alabama; appoints the State Climatologist and an Assistant with appointment by the President of the University of Alabama in Huntsville and approval by the Governor; salaries set by the appointing authority; tenure at the will of the appointing authority; vacancies filled in the same manner.
• Allows the State Climatologist and Assistant to teach climate-related courses at UAH under conditions that they do not interfere with primary duties, limit to six hours of resident classroom teaching per week, and restricts retirement system eligibility for such teaching.
• authorizes the State Climatologist to appoint assistants under the Merit System; assistants work full time; funds cannot be used to pay salaries of any University of Alabama in Huntsville staff or employees.
• Requires the State Climatologist to study climate impacts, coordinate climate research, disseminate information, establish a state climate program, seek grants, and work with federal government and other states as part of a coordinated climate program.
• Calls for collaboration with the Atmospheric Science Program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and other agencies for scientific support; manages intergovernmental climate program.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Climatologist