SB217 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul Bussman
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Alabama Workforce Council, created, duties, workforce development, membership, advisement of Postsecondary and Education Departments, administration by Commerce Department
Summary: Creates the Alabama Workforce Council to advise on workforce development and coordinate education, industry, and policy efforts across the state.
What This Bill Does
It establishes the Alabama Workforce Council as an appointed advisory body to support the Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System and the Superintendent of the Department of Education. It will promote coordination across prekindergarten-12, two-year colleges, four-year universities, and business and industry to address workforce needs. It sets out who serves on the council, how it is administered, meeting rules, reporting requirements, and allows the Governor to appoint additional members. It also directs the council to review and propose changes to streamline functions, increase career awareness, create industry-education feedback loops, and explore public/private scholarships and realignment of regional councils.

Who It Affects
Students and job seekers: may gain clearer career pathways and access to scholarships through increased awareness and industry partnerships.
Educational institutions (K-12, community colleges, and universities), educators, employers, and public agencies: will coordinate programs, provide feedback, and may see realignment or expansion of regional workforce councils and scholarships.

Key Provisions
Section 1 creates the Alabama Workforce Council as an advisory body to support policy development and innovative educational workforce programming.
Section 2 lists membership: 2 governor appointees, 1 lieutenant governor, 1 House Speaker, 1 Senate President Pro Tempore, 10 regional members, an ex officio director from the Governor's Office of Workforce Development with no vote, and allows the Governor to add members.
Section 3 assigns administrative duties to the Secretary of Commerce, including organizing meetings and preparing the annual report.
Section 4 requires the council to meet within 30 days of appointment and at least twice a year, with remote participation allowed and counted for quorum.
Section 5 sets term lengths up to four years, with initial terms staggered and vacancies filled like original appointments.
Section 6 requires an annual advisory report by January 31 to the Governor, Legislature, State Board of Education, and Council of College and University Presidents.
Section 7 states members do not receive a salary but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.
Section 8 lists advisory duties: streamline workforce functions, increase career awareness, create industry-education feedback loops, evaluate scholarships and partnerships, market career readiness, set standards for regional councils, and consider realignment of counties.
Section 9 states the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and 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: Alabama Workforce Council