SB55 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Sovereign immunity, immunity for officers, employees, agents of the state, including certain employees of local school boards and State Board of Education, codified

Summary

SB55 would codify broad immunity for state officials, employees, and education employees, shielding them from liability in official actions except when they willfully, maliciously, fraudulently, in bad faith, or beyond their authority.

What This Bill Does

It would specify in statute that officers, employees, or agents of the state (including the State Board of Education and local boards) are immune from liability in lawsuits brought under the Alabama Constitution. It would also say they are not personally liable for acts within the scope of their duties that involve judgment or discretion, unless they act willfully, maliciously, fraudulently, in bad faith, or beyond their authority. It would define 'education employee' to include certified or noncertified employees of the State Board of Education or local boards, and employees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind or the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, who would have the same immunity. The act would not modify other immunities already provided by the Constitution or state law.

Who It Affects

• State officers, employees, and agents (including employees of the State Board of Education and local boards) – would gain immunity from liability for official acts and would not be personally liable for discretionary decisions within their duties, unless misconduct occurs.
• Education employees (as defined in the bill) – including certified or noncertified SBOE/local board employees and staff of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind or the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science – would have the same immunity protections when acting in official roles.

Key Provisions

• Immunity from liability for state officers, employees, and agents acting in official capacity for suits under Article I, Section 14 of the Alabama Constitution.
• Personal liability exemption for acts within the scope of employment involving judgment or discretion, unless the act is willful, malicious, fraudulent, in bad faith, or beyond authority.
• Definition of 'education employee' to include certified or noncertified SBOE/local board employees and employees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science.
• Education employees have the same immunity as other state officers/employees, with the same exceptions.
• This act does not eliminate, alter, or modify other immunities under the Constitution and laws, and becomes effective immediately after passage and governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Civil Procedure