SB7 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2015

Title

State employees, review of dismissal decisions under State Merit System revised, venue for review of action by State Personnel Board specified, Sec. 36-26-27 am'd.

Summary

SB7 changes how dismissal appeals for state classified employees are reviewed and where legal challenges go.

What This Bill Does

It revises the procedures for reviewing dismissals under the State Merit System, including when the State Personnel Board may reverse or modify a dismissal. It requires that any judicial review of the Board’s decisions be filed in the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. It preserves the option for a public hearing if requested by the employee and allows the Board to reinstate with conditions or impose other relief, such as back wages forfeiture or a suspension. It also outlines the grounds on which the Board may reverse or modify an agency’s decision and keeps the weight-of-evidence standard in place for decisions by agencies.

Who It Affects

• Classified employees under the State Merit System, who may demand a public hearing, seek reinstatement, and potentially receive relief such as back wages forfeiture or suspensions if the Board modifies the agency’s decision.
• State agencies/appointing authorities and the State Personnel Board, which are affected by revised review procedures, new grounds for reversing or modifying dismissal decisions, and the requirement to route judicial reviews to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 36-26-27 to revise how dismissals of classified employees are reviewed and when the Board may reverse or modify the dismissal.
• Specifies that if the dismissed employee demands a public hearing within 10 days, the Board must hold one and may reinstate with conditions or impose other relief (including back wages forfeiture and/or up to 30 days suspension).
• Enumerates the grounds for the Board to reverse or modify the agency’s action: violation of law, excess of authority, violation of agency rules, unlawful procedure, error of law, clearly erroneous findings, or arbitrary/capricious action.
• Provides that judicial review of State Personnel Board decisions must be filed in the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.
• Details the hearing process for removal or discipline, including hearings before the director or a board, findings of facts and law, and final Board decisions.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage/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

State Employees