SB23 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Transportation Department, director authorized to appoint assistant counsel subject to State Merit System, Sec. 23-1-26 am'd.

Summary

The bill would let Alabama's Director of Transportation appoint up to five assistant counsel to handle the department's legal work, with diversity considerations and approval from the Attorney General.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 23-1-26 to authorize the Director of Transportation to appoint not more than five assistant counsel to transact the department's legal business, subject to Merit System rules and the Attorney General's approval. The chief counsel and assistant counsel would be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and form the DOT's legal division, including their support staff. The director must consider statewide diversity (race, gender, geography, urban/rural status, and economy) when making appointments. The change would take effect after the Governor approves it.

Who It Affects

• State Department of Transportation and its legal division (Director, Chief Counsel, and assistant counsel) gain authority to appoint up to five assistant counsel to handle legal matters for the department.
• Prospective and current attorney candidates for DOT assistant counsel positions, who would be appointed and sworn in as assistant attorneys general, with appointments subject to Attorney General approval and diversity considerations.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Director of Transportation to appoint not more than five assistant counsel to transact the legal business of the DOT, subject to Merit System law and Attorney General approval.
• Chief counsel and assistant counsel are to be commissioned as assistant attorneys general and take the required oath; they and their stenographic/clerical staff form the legal division of the DOT.
• The Director must consider racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state when appointing assistant counsel.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and the Governor's 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

Transportation Department