HB273 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Const. Amend. to provide that the University of Alabama Board of Trustees include graduates of the Unversity of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Section 264 (Sec. 264, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended) am'd.

Summary

HB273 would amend the Alabama Constitution to require the University of Alabama Board of Trustees to be composed of graduates from UA, UAB, or UAH.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the UA Board of Trustees would be limited to graduates of UA, UAB, or UAH, with district representation so that each congressional district has a trustee from each university; an additional trustee from the district containing the first campus site would be added, and the Superintendent of Education and the Governor would serve as ex officio president. Trustees would serve six-year terms, could not serve more than three consecutive six-year terms, and must retire at age 70, with initial terms scheduled to stagger expirations. Current trustees would stay until their terms expire, vacancies would be filled by the board with Senate confirmation, and no trustee would be paid beyond reimbursement of actual expenses (with the possibility of an honorary emeritus title upon retirement). The change would require approval by a majority of qualified electors voting on the amendment to take effect.

Who It Affects

• Current and future University of Alabama Board of Trustees members would be limited to graduates of UA, UAB, or UAH, with district-based representation ensuring each university contributes a graduate in each district.
• Alabama voters would determine the change by approving the constitutional amendment; if approved, the new board structure would take effect.

Key Provisions

• Each congressional district would have three trustees: one graduate of the University of Alabama, one graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and one graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
• An additional trustee would come from the district that includes the site of the first campus; the Superintendent of Education and the Governor would serve as ex officio president of the board.
• Trustees would serve six-year terms, may not serve more than three consecutive six-year terms, and must retire at age 70.
• Initial terms would be set by the current board to create a staggered schedule, so one term expires every three years in each district.
• Filling vacancies and new appointments would involve the remaining board members and Senate confirmation; current trustees stay until their terms end and successors are chosen.
• No trustee would be paid beyond actual expenses; an honorary 'trustee emeritus' title could be conferred upon retirement.
• The amendment requires approval by a majority of the qualified electors voting on it to become part of the Constitution.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments