SB359 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Attorney General's Litigation Support Fund, limitation on deposits removed, detailed reporting required, Sec. 36-15-4.2 am'd.

Summary

SB359 removes deposit limits on the Attorney General's Litigation Support Fund and requires detailed reporting of deposits and expenditures to the Legislature.

What This Bill Does

It amends the law to keep the Attorney General's Litigation Support Fund but eliminates existing caps on how much money can be deposited into it from court-ordered fees, settlements, penalties, and related receipts (with a Gulf oil spill-related carve-out). It requires the Attorney General to report each deposit and future deposits to specified legislative and budget offices with detailed descriptions. It authorizes the Attorney General to spend money from the fund to implement this law and perform the office’s duties, and it establishes fund management, reporting, and record-keeping requirements.

Who It Affects

• Attorney General's Office: gains ability to deposit larger amounts into the Litigation Support Fund and can use funds to support the AG's powers and duties, with required record-keeping.
• Legislative and budget oversight entities (Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee, House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Budget Officer): must receive detailed deposit reports and certifications from the Attorney General, enabling increased oversight.

Key Provisions

• Establishes and governs the Attorney General's Litigation Support Fund, with sources including court-ordered attorney fees, settlements, penalties, costs, interest, and related items from civil or administrative matters.
• Removes deposit limitations on the fund (previous caps and carryover rules), and explicitly provides a Gulf oil spill-related carve-out to exclude such matters from the markup of these provisions.
• Requires the Attorney General to certify to the Chairs of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee, the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, the Legislative Fiscal Officer, and the state Budget Officer, detailing each deposit and any future deposits.
• Allows the Attorney General to expend money from the fund to implement this article and to perform the AG's duties, with the fund under the AG's management and available for appropriation.
• States that appropriations from the fund are in addition to other appropriations and that funds are budgeted and allotted under the state budgeting process; prohibits financial interests or commissions in fund investments; requires keeping detailed expenditure records.
• Effective immediately upon 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

Appropriations